THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police arrested seven persons in relation to the case where Rs 80 lakhs was snatched from a jewellery owner in Poovar homestay after assaulting him. Poonthura native Mujeeb (44)-one who planned the robbery, the co-accused and Poovar natives Shamnad (24), Aseem (34), Sajeer (32), Jibili (26), Subash aka Unni (25) and J.P. aka Arundev (25) were arrested. An amount of Rs 60 lakhs that was shared among them was also recovered. The police have intensified the search for Neyyattinkara Kandala native Shameer who was with the group. Najeeb, a native of Attingal and a jewellery owner, was the victim of the robbery.

Mujeeb, who is also a real estate broker, summoned Najeeb to Poovar homestay after assuring him of gold imported from the Middle East at a lower price. Mujeeb, was an expat before, used to engage in such deals and real estate deals. He acquainted with Najeeb. Mujeeb schemed the robbery on the thought that the money for buying the gold will be unaccounted. Mujeeb then sought the help of his friend Aseem’s group. Aseem is an accused in a criminal case involving hurling of bombs. After losing a palm in the bomb hurling case, Aseem was running a paan shop. He took part in the robbery in hopes of making quick money.

Mujeeb told them that Najeeb won’t be able to lodge petition as the money involved would be unaccounted. As soon as Najeeb reached the room in ‘View Point’ homestay in Poovar with 80 lakhs rupees in hope of buying gold bars, Mujeeb joined him. Excluding Aseem, the team of robbers who reached the spot via a boat stormed into the room and hit Mujeeb. They threatened Najeeb and left with the baggage of money. Aseem was keeping the boat engine running to escape with the robbers.

The group escaped through Neyyar. In the guise of catching the robbers, Mujeeb also left the homestay. The homestay staff informed the police about the incident. The police recorded the statement of jewellery owner Najeeb. The police recognized the perpetrators through the homestay’s CCTV footage and later nabbed them from places like Poovar and Thengappattanam.

However, the complainant told the police he had money with him for a real estate deal. After interrogation and evidence collection, the arrest will be registered.