Three bullets found in Jose's body, gun was always loaded, says Poly; accused remanded

KALADY: Three bullets were found in the body of Ayyampuzha native Jose (51), who was shot dead at Kothayipalam in Manjapra on Sunday. The police confirmed that the accused, his neighbour and a former serviceman, Poly (57), fired four rounds. The postmortem report showed that one bullet hit Jose’s left hand, while two bullets that struck his back caused his death.

On Tuesday, police ballistic and forensic teams examined the area near Kothayipalam where the shooting took place on Sunday night. The gun, which is kept at Ayyampuzha Police Station, was also examined by the police armoury team. Police said 12 bullets were still left in the gun. The weapon is licensed in Poly’s name. He told the police that he kept the gun loaded as he feared an attack from Jose.

The postmortem was conducted at Ernakulam Medical College Hospital.

Poly works as a security guard at a bank in Aluva. He shot Jose while returning home on his bike after work. Jose was bathing in a canal when the first bullet hit his hand. He tried to run to save his life. Poly chased him and fired at close range, making sure of his death. He then went to the Ayyampuzha Police Station and surrendered.

Poly was produced before the Perumbavoor Magistrate Court on Tuesday evening. He was remanded to Aluva Sub Jail. Jose’s funeral will be held at 10 am today at Mar Sleeva Church in Manjapra.

Revenge motive
Police said Poly did not leave work with a plan to kill. However, he lost control when he saw Jose on the way. Poly told the police that he often remembered his father, who was killed six years ago in a land dispute. He believed Jose and his son Devasikutty were involved in that case. Though they were acquitted due to lack of evidence, Poly held a grudge. He told investigators that he could not sleep or eat when he thought about his father. He also said he feared that Jose might harm him.