'Abhilash is a child brought up by Sathyettan'; he was kept away after he showed criminal behaviour, says branch secretary

KOZHIKODE: CPM branch secretary Sheeja said that the murder of CPM Koyilandy Central local committee secretary PV Sathyanathan was carried out after clear planning. Speaking to a media outlet, Sheeja said that Abhilash, who is in police custody, had a political grudge towards Sathyanathan. She also said that some others were also behind Abhilash.

"Such a murder cannot be committed without proper planning. Abhilash cannot commit a murder alone in such a crowded place. Some others are behind him," Sheeja said.

"Abhilash is a child brought up by Sathyettan. Abhilash studied and grew up in his house. The accused was Sathyanathan's driver when he was the chairman of the Koyilandy Municipality. However, Abhilash was kept away from the party when he started showing criminal behaviour. It is said that he carried out the murder due to this grudge. Sathyanathan was a soft man. He was also the person who made the party strong in the area," Sheeja said.

The murder took place at around 10 pm yesterday. Abhilash attacked Sathyanathan during the music show held as part of the Peruvattur Cheriyappuram temple festival in Koyilandy. Although Sathyanathan was rushed to Koyilandy Taluk Hospital, he could not be saved. Abhilash told the police that he killed Sathyanathan due to personal enmity and that he did not get help from anyone to commit the murder.

Kannur Range DIG Thomson Jose said that the police are conducting a detailed probe into the incident. Sathyanathan's body will be handed over to his relatives after post-mortem at Kozhikode Medical College. A hartal has been announced in Koyilandy today in protest of the murder.