Kaliyikkavila murder: Former gang leader Choozhatukotta Ambili taken into police custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tamil Nadu police will soon record the arrest of former gang leader Choozhatukotta Ambili in the murder of a crusher owner in Kaliyikkavila. Ambili is being interrogated by TN police and the arrest will be made soon.

It was after some tip-off by murdered Deepu’s employees that the investigation headed towards Shaji alias Ambili. The police say that Ambili had threatened Deepu earlier asking for money. But it is still unclear why the murder was committed. The police indicate that the fifty-nine-year-old former gangster is now working in connection with the spirit, quarry and land mafias. Ambili is also undergoing treatment for severe kidney disease.

The police had earlier received information that a gang was behind Deepu's murder. Deepu’s bereaved wife had also revealed to police about getting constant threats from gangs demanding money. Deepu had once revealed to his wife about some gangs demanding up to 10 lakh rupees from him. The gang also threatened to kidnap Deepu’s children if the money was delayed.

Deepu’s son Madhav also revealed to police that his father told him about a gang threatening him for Rs 50 lakh. Deepu also had a land dispute with a scrap worker from Nedumangad. The case is pending in court and the police were certain from the very start that the scrap worker had a role in the murder.

However, there needs some clarity on why Deepu decided to go to Coimbatore to buy JCB along with Ambili in his car. In usual circumstances, Deepu would take along his employees for official trips and not any strangers. Deepu had a quarry at Mookkunnimala, placed next to Ambili’s house. It should also be known whether Deepu had earlier sought services from Ambili.