THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One more person has been arrested in connection with the murder of Sudheesh in broad daylight at Kalloor in Pothencode. Sudheesh’s close friend Shibin has been arrested. With this, the total number of persons arrested rose to nine.

Sudheesh (35) of Lakshamveedu Colony in Chembakamangalam was hacked to death on Saturday at 2.30 pm at Sajeev’s house in Pananvila. Sudheesh’s brother-in-law Shyam Kumar and Shibin arrested showed the hideout of the former to the miscreants. Sudheesh had beat Shyam when a clash broke out over a local ganja trade case. After this, the two turned foes. Sudheesh was hiding in his relative’s house in Kalloor after a scuffle on December 6 at Mangattumoola in Attingal.

Just before the assailants landed before Sudheesh, Shibin, a friend of the two, visited the former and offered him liquor. Shibin handed over the details of Sudheesh to Shyam. According to police, Shyam called Ottakam Rajesh and Unni and informed about Sudheesh.

Those arrested told police that they did not intend to kill Sudheesh, just wanted to take revenge for the earlier attacks. All in the group had previous enmity towards Sudheesh over many incidents. Sudheesh was an accused in the case of hurling a cracker at Unni’s mother. Police said that it was Ottakam Rajesh who organised the miscreants.