THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The accused, who was arrested in the case of theft by drugging family members in Varkala, collapsed and died in the court. Ramkumar (48), a native of Nepal, died while in custody. He collapsed when he was produced in the court. The accused was unwell when he was produced in the Varkala court around 4 pm. He was immediately rushed to Varkala Taluk Hospital, but was dead by then.

Ramkumar and his accomplice Janardhana Upadhyaya were arrested on Wednesday in the case of stealing from the family members by drugging them with the help of a maid from Nepal. Ramkumar was caught by locals while he was escaping by jumping over the wall after the theft and handed over to the Ayroor police.

The robbery took place on Tuesday night under the leadership of a Nepalese maid after she drugged the family including a bedridden old woman. Srideviamma (74), daughter-in-law Deepa and home nurse Sindhu from Venjaramood were drugged by Sohila (28), a Nepali native, by adding intoxicant to chapati and kuruma curry at Lyme Villa near Elakamon Hariharapuram LP School Varkala.

Sridevi Amma's son Rajeev works in Bengaluru. He called his wife Deepa and the home nurse at 10 pm, but they did not pick up the phone. Then Rajeev called a relative's house nearby and asked for information. When they reached the spot, the group of four ran away. Janardhana Upadhyay was found by the locals at 11 pm. He had fallen down because his leg got stuck in the wire fence while escaping by jumping the wall behind the house. 35,000 rupees and gold were recovered from his bag. Ram Kumar, who was hiding nearby, was caught at four in the morning yesterday.