Vigil's death: Search for body remains to be carried out today; water at scene to be drained

KOZHIKODE: The police will conduct an examination today for the remains of the body in the incident where friends buried a man who died while using drugs. The arrested persons, K.K. Nikhil, a native of Eranjipalam Kulangara Kandi, and Deepesh, a native of Vengeri, have been remanded to the investigation team for three days. The accused will be brought to the spot today and an examination will be conducted.

According to the statement of friends, the body of Vigil (30), a native of Westhill Chungam, who went missing on March 29, 2019, was tied up and lowered into a swamp in the mangrove forest adjacent to Sarovaram Biopark. The four of them were using drugs in the vacant part of the Sarovaram for a long time, but when Vigil did not wake up, the others went back. When they returned at night, it was confirmed that Vigil was dead. The body was shifted to the bushes. The next day, they returned and lowered it into the swamp and placed a laterite stone on top. After eight days, when the head rose above the water, a heavy stone was taken and placed on top. The investigating officer, Elathur SHO Ranjith, said that since the body was buried in a swamp, steps have been taken to drain the water at the scene.

Took bones to performing rituals

The accused, feeling guilty, took the bones after months and performed 'bali tharpanam' and floated them into the sea. The lifestyle of Nikhil and Deepesh changed after the incident. The police said that both of them had reduced their drug use and were going to work every day. Vigil's scooter, which the accused had abandoned at the Kallai railway station to divert the investigation, was found from the station premises yesterday evening. The mobile phone was not found. The search is continuing for Ranjith (31), a native of Poovattuparamba, who is involved in the case.

They were close friends

Father Vijayan said he didn't think Vigil's close friends would do this and wanted to know what happened. "They studied together. They were always together. When I asked them about Vigil going missing, they only said they didn't know. I suspect there are more people behind this. I want to know what happened. The friends haven't come home since the incident."