Three arrested for brutally assaulting father and son over rejected marriage proposal; main accused absconding

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three people have been arrested for allegedly abducting and brutally assaulting a man and his son after the family refused to marry their daughter to the main accused. The victims are Anilkumar (51) and his 20-year-old son Achu, residents of Vadaserikonam in Varkala. The arrested accused have been identified as Aromal, Lal Krishna and Arun, who had been on the run after the incident. The main accused, Sudheesh, a native of Puliyarakkonam in Vellalloor, remains absconding.

Police said the accused had gone into hiding at different places in Kollam district after changing their appearance. They were traced and arrested by the Chithara Police on Monday night after receiving a tip-off. The accused will be handed over to the Varkala Police, undergo medical examination and be produced before a court.

According to the investigation, Sudheesh had approached Anilkumar's family with a marriage proposal for their daughter two years ago. However, the family rejected the proposal after learning about his criminal background. Police said Sudheesh has several criminal cases against him, including one for allegedly attempting to murder his own father. He is also known for getting involved in violent incidents while under the influence of alcohol.

Police said Sudheesh, who is originally from Kummil in Kollam, had been living with his grandmother in Vellalloor after falling out with his mother. Investigators believe he planned the attack after learning that the woman's engagement to another man was scheduled to take place next month.

The incident took place on July 16. Police said Anilkumar, a mason, received a phone call from a man who identified himself as Shamnad and offered him construction work at a house in Vellalloor. When Anilkumar arrived at the house on his scooter, he was attacked with a helmet as soon as he entered. The accused then tied him up with chains and brutally assaulted him until he lost consciousness. According to police, the room had been fitted with glass panels to prevent his cries for help from being heard outside.

The accused later called Achu and falsely informed him that his father had met with an accident. Achu, who works at a workshop in Varkala, was brought to the house by one of the accused on Anilkumar's scooter. On seeing his injured father, Achu tried to raise an alarm, but the accused covered his mouth and assaulted him. Police said he was brutally beaten and suffered injuries to his fingers after they were attacked with pliers.