VARKALA: A policeman drowned to death after a boat carrying a police team capsized in the lake. The deceased has been identified as Balu (27) of the SAP camp. The incident took place at Panayil Kadavu near Edava in Varkala. The boat capsized while the police team was on its way searching for Ottakam Rajesh, an accused in the Pothencode murder case.

The boat carried Varkala CI and two policemen. Though two policemen were rescued, Balu went missing. He was finally rescued following a search that lasted for over 45 minutes.

Though Balu was rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved. The police team reached Panayil Kadavu following a tip-off that the accused in the murder case was hiding there. According to locals, the boat capsized after hitting the mud.