Brutal murder of Nettoor was revenge for brother’s death

KOCHI: Five including a minor was arrested for hacking a youth to death and later dumping his body in a swampy area at Nettoor in Ernakulam. The arrested, natives of Kumbalam are friends of the youth identified as Arjun (20) of Mannnattu House in Kumbalam. Panangad circle inspector said the details of the youths cannot be revealed now as procedures are progressing.

The police had taken into custody the accused yesterday itself. Their arrest was registered today after detailed interrogation. The body has been taken for post mortem. Thrikkakkara assistant commissioner, Panangad circle inspector, sub inspector and forensic experts had reached the spot in the morning. The body of Arjun was found in a swampy area last evening near the railway track one kilometre away from Nettoor overbridge. Many thronged the area on hearing the news that a body of a youth has been found.

The family of Arjun had lodged a missing complaint at the Panangad police station. There were widespread complaints that the police had not taken the complaint seriously. The complaint had suspected his friends. After questioning them, the police had left them. Arjun’s father had filed a habeas corpus in the high court yesterday. With the involvement of people's representatives, the case was investigated on the directions of senior police officers and the Panangad police questioned the gang again. In the meantime, the body was found.

Previous enmity led to murder
Last year when Arjun was pillion riding in one of his friend’s brother’s bike in Kalamassery, they had met with an accident. His friend’s brother had died in the accident and Arjun sustained injuries. His friend had told others that Arjun had killed his brother. The enmity towards Arjun ended in the murder. On the day of the incident, Arjun was summoned by his friend to Nettoor on the grounds that they are short of petrol. After sending his friend away, the team beat him and dumped him in the swampy area.