Arjun, who robbed gold merchants in Malappuram, was driver of car that caused Balabhaskar's death

MALAPPURAM: Arjun, one of the accused who attacked two jewellery owners in Perinthalmanna and stole three and a half kilogram of gold from them, is the same person who drove the car that caused the death of renowned violinist Balabhaskar. Arjun, a native of Patturakkal, is one of the nine persons arrested by the police in the Perinthalmanna robbery case. According to the police, Arjun is one of the accused who facilitated the main accused in selling the stolen gold.

Forensic investigation had earlier revealed that Arjun was the one who drove Balabhaskar's car at the time of the accident. It was found that Arjun sustained an injury on the head as he was sitting in the driver's seat at the time of the accident. Forensic investigation also revealed that Balabhaskar was sitting in the middle seat of the car and that only his wife, Lakshmi, was wearing a seatbelt. It was also found that the car was travelling at a high speed at the time of the accident. However, Arjun later changed his statement in court, claiming that he was not behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

Even after six years, the mystery surrounding Balu's death remains unresolved. Although the police, crime branch, and CBI dismissed it as a natural car accident, Balu's father, KC Unni, approached the High Court and secured an order for a detailed investigation into whether the death had any connection to gold smuggling or a related conspiracy. Initially, it was believed to be a routine car accident.

Suspicions arose among Balu's family members after his friends and managers were implicated in a gold smuggling case, leading to the investigation being handed over to the CBI. The second CBI team is now re-examining the gold smuggling activities, suspicious financial transactions, and questionable testimonies involving members of Balu's troupe and his friends.

Meanwhile, driver Arjun has filed a petition in the court seeking compensation of Rs 1.5 crores from Balu’s parents, arguing that the accident ruined his health and life.

The Perinthalmanna robbery took place last Thursday night. Jewellery shop owner Yusuf and his brother were returning home after closing the shop when a nine-member gang followed them in a car and attacked them on Pattambi Road. The gang attacked the siblings, snatched the bag containing the gold, and fled the spot. The details regarding the robbery were unravelled after the accused were taken into custody and questioned in detail by a special investigation team led by SP R Vishwanath.