NEYYATTINKARA: The death of Ranjith R Raj, accused in Marayamuttam Jose murder case in an accident that took place at Neyyattinkara Perumkadavila yesterday is suspected to be a planned murder. Dharmaraj, the father of the victim has raised suspicion about the accident and alleged that his son had a spat with people associated with sand mining and he received death threats.

Ranjith was coming from Kizharur towards Perumkadavila on his bike when the tipper lorry that came from the opposite direction rammed into his motorcycle. His skull was almost crushed by the impact and according to eyewitnesses he died on the spot.

The driver of the tipper fled soon after the incident but Ranjith was taken to the nearby hospital by two others in the tipper, now absconding. Locals informed the police that the tipper lorry was seen parked some 300 meters away from the accident spot.

Congress activist Vadakara Jose was hacked to death by six people in front of Marayamuttam Beverages in 2015. Ranjith is the second accused in this case. Two other accused in the Vadakara Jose murder case were killed earlier by the rival group.