KANNUR: It is learned that the crime branch has received crucial information to strengthen the suspicion that the mysterious death of Ratheesh, the second accused in the murder case of Youth League activist Mansoor, is a murder. Ratheesh's damaged internal organs will be sent for DNA testing for further clarification. The team led by Kozhikode district crime branch DySP Shaj Jose had received clear indications that Ratheesh and Sreerag, the fourth accused in the case, were staying together at the spot where Ratheesh was found hanging.

Preliminary postmortem revealed that there was excessive pressure on the lungs. Injuries to the body and internal organs are not the same as those that usually occur in suicide. Scientific confirmation of this can only be obtained once the DNA test results are available.

If someone tried to suffocate, the blood or body parts of the attacker may get stuck between the nails while resisting. This can also be detected by DNA testing. The probe team is hoping to find out Ratheesh's role in the Mansoor murder case through DNA tests. Forensic experts have collected various samples from the area where Mansoor was killed. Ratheesh's blood and hair will be compared with samples taken from the scene. Samples will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram.

Ratheesh was found hanging in a desolate field in Koolipara in Chekkyad's Arunda. It is learned that Ratheesh was accompanied by three others. A food-covered bag and cigarette butts in a field above the spot where he had committed suicide. The investigation is also focusing on the hotel where the parcel was bought.

Youth League activists staged a protest in front of the Kannur Collectorate demanding that the accused and conspirators in Mansoor's murder be brought to justice. The LDF also led a peace rally in the conflict areas of Panur.