KOLLAM: The husband and brother of the farm house employee of the person accused of kidnapping the six-year-old girl from Oyoor has been allegedly attacked. Shaji, the husband of Sheeba, the employee, and her brother Shibu were attacked by a group that came in an autorickshaw while they were returning from work.

The injured Shiju was admitted to the taluk hospital. He was later shifted to Paripally Medical College with head injuries. Shaji and his wife received death threats yesterday. After receiving death threats, both of them lodged a complaint with the police yesterday. This was followed by an attack. The Paravoor police have started an investigation into the incident.

The investigation of the kidnapping case has been handed over to the District Crime Branch. DIG R Nishanthini appointed a 13-member team under the leadership of Rural District Crime Branch DySP MM Jose to probe the case.

As the incident became a huge controversy, a 39-member investigation team was appointed under the direct supervision of Additional SP Prathapan Nair. Pooyapally CI ST Biju was the investigating officer. ADGP MR Ajithkumar and DIG R Nishanthini camped in Kollam and led the investigation. Pooyapally CI ST Biju, Pooyapally SIs Abhilash and Saji John, Additional SIs Rajesh, Jijimol, Ambika, Grade SI Manojkumar and Senior CPOs Binu, Shiju, Bijeesh, Mahesh Mohan and GG Sanoj are members of the new investigation team.

Along with the report that the Crime Branch has taken over the investigation of the DySP case, a request was made in the Kottarakkara Magistrate's Court to allow the accused in custody. The court will consider the application today. The new investigation team held a special meeting yesterday and prepared an action plan.