15 months, no arrests: Questions mount over Arjun Menon murder probe

More than 15 months after former Cricket Malawi Operations Manager and national coach Arjun Menon was killed, his family is still waiting for answers as no arrests have been made in the case.

Menon, 48, was attacked and killed in Nancholi, Blantyre, on 11 May 2025 while reportedly travelling home after a night out.

More than a year later, there have been no publicly announced arrests or identified suspects in connection with his death, according to his family, raising concerns about whether sufficient progress is being made to bring those responsible to justice.

Menon’s sister, Prema Menon, who is based in Singapore, says the family has become increasingly concerned about what she describes as inconsistencies and unexplained developments surrounding the investigation.

According to the family, an investigative report relating to the case was submitted approximately 15 months after Menon’s death and was only about one and a half pages long.

The family also says there are discrepancies between the date authorities reportedly gave for the submission of the report and the date on which it was actually submitted.

Their concerns have been compounded by reports that some witnesses have recently been questioned again. Prema says the family has not been given a clear explanation of why the witnesses were re-interviewed or whether new information prompted the decision.

The central question for the family is what has happened to the investigation since Menon was killed in May 2025.

Menon’s death has attracted particular attention because of his contribution to the development of cricket in Malawi.

He came to Malawi in 2020 specifically to help develop the sport and served in senior positions, including Operations Manager and later National Coach of Cricket Malawi.

His contribution, however, extended beyond coaching and match preparation.

According to his family, Menon worked directly with schools and community volunteers at a time when cricket had little or no presence in many school programmes.

He was also involved in the transformation of the country’s cricket governing body from the Malawi Cricket Union to Cricket Malawi.

His connection with the communities where he worked was also significant.

The family cites his involvement with Maoni Orphanage as one example of his commitment to community development. They say Menon discovered that 47 children at the orphanage were sharing only five bunk beds and subsequently organised support for them.

For those who knew him through cricket, his legacy therefore extends beyond matches, statistics and coaching. His work became closely linked to youth development and community support.

Despite the unresolved case, Menon’s friends and former players gathered in Singapore from 28 to 30 August 2026 for the Arjun Menon Legacy Weekend.

The event featured cricket tournaments aimed at raising funds for Maoni Orphanage in Malawi, continuing Menon’s commitment to children and community development.

However, while his friends and former players continue to preserve his legacy, the event has also brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding his death.

For his family, the contrast is difficult to ignore. More than a year after Menon’s death, those who knew him are continuing his work and supporting causes he cared about, while the investigation into his killing remains without a publicly known resolution.

The Malawi Police Service should clarify the current status of the investigation, including whether any suspects have been identified, whether any arrests have been made, and whether further arrests are expected.

The police should also explain the reported re-interviewing of witnesses and the circumstances surrounding the submission of the investigative report.

The family says it is not seeking special treatment because Menon was a foreign national. Rather, Prema says they want transparency, accountability and justice.

As 11 September 2026 approaches, marking 16 months since Menon’s death, questions surrounding the case are likely to intensify.

For Menon’s family, the issue is not simply about the passage of time. It is about whether a man who came to Malawi to contribute to the development of cricket and worked closely with young people and communities will receive the justice his family believes he deserves.

For now, one question remains at the heart of the case: After 16 months, who killed Arjun Menon and why?