Karamana youth murder; Police arrest one member of gang, search ongoing for other accused

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police have identified all the accused involved in the brutal murder of a youth in Thiruvananthapuram’s Karamana. The accused in the case are Kiran Krishna, Achu aka Akhil, Sumesh, and Vineeth, all natives of Vattappara. Kiran Krishna has been taken into custody.

Earlier, there was a bitter exchange between the murdered youth and the accused inside a bar. DCP Nithin Raj said it was this grudge that resulted in the gruesome murder. The police took the rented vehicle in which the accused were travelling.

During the crime, one of the accused was sitting inside the car. Akhil and Vineet are habitual offenders and are accused of Karamana Anantha's murder. The inquest proceedings of Akhil (26), a native of Karumom Edagramam, have been completed.

According to reports, the victim Akhil and the accused have links with the drug racket. Akhil, who ran a pet shop near his house in Maruthoorkadavu was forcibly dragged by the accused who came in an Innova car. The gang took Akhil to a barren field and thrashed him repeatedly with iron rods and stones. Heavy stones were also thrown at the body to ensure death. It was only after half an hour that locals spotted Akhil lying in a pool of blood. The seriously injured youth was taken to the Medical College Hospital but could not be saved. CCTV footage of the accused beating up Akhil has emerged.