Brutally murdered uncle for taking away mobile phone; Teen arrested

MARAYOOR: Marayoor police on Tuesday arrested a teen for brutally murdering a retired police inspector in the latter’s backyard. Marayoor Kottakulam native M Arun (23) was arrested for murdering his mother’s brother P Laxmanan, in such a horrific manner.

Earlier, Laxmanan had gifted a mobile phone to Arun. However, the situation turned grim after Laxmanan demanded the phone be returned, which resulted in a brutal murder. Laxmanan was fatally hacked in the neck and face by Arun in sheer rage.

The loud scream alerted his son and daughter-in-law who were inside the house and when the family members reached the spot, Arun ran away through the bushes leaving aside his car on the roadside. After the murder, the accused ran and hid in a rock near Marayoor Govt. High School.

Then he reached Kovilkadavu and got into an autorickshaw and reached the Irachil Para area where he dropped the knife used to commit the murder. Arun reached Kanthalloor with plans to cross the border to Tamil Nadu but was ambushed by a team led by Marayoor Inspector TR Jiju. Some youths from the Marayoor area also assisted police in the mission.

Arun failed in his 10th standard at school. With intentions to help him clear the crucial examination, Laxmanan brought his nephew to his house which was 12 km away from Aruns’ residence. Arun was previously involved in the POCSO case in Tamil Nadu. Four months ago, Laxmanan snatched the phone from Arun and put it in switch-off mode after learning about Arun’s inordinate phone usage. This incident turned mainspring for the crime.