KAIPAMANGALAM/THRISSUR: Three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the murder of a Tamil Nadu native who was beaten to death and thrown in an ambulance for swindling money in the name of 'rice puller' with amazing powers. The deceased has been identified as Charles Benjamin alias Arun (45), son of Antony Raj of Church Street in Somanur, Karumathampatti, Coimbatore. A search has been launched for the three accused, including Sadiq, the owner of an ice factory in Azhikkal in Kannur, who gave the quotation for the murder.

Arun's friend Shashankan (44) of Alappuzha Cherad Vasudeva Sadanam was also beaten up. Shashankan was found by the police from Kodungallur which became crucial for the case. Shashankan is undergoing treatment. Three persons, including Muthu alias Dhanesh, a native of Kodungallur who helped the accused get a house in Thrissur, are in police custody. Despite repeated requests, Arun did not return the Rs 10 lakh given by Sadiq for the rice puller. Following this, Sadiq and his team summoned Arun and Shashankan to the side of the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur on Monday morning. When they reached the spot, the two were taken in a car to an isolated estate in Kalloor and held hostage till 3.30 pm and beaten up.

At around 4 pm, they were taken to Dhanesh's house near Asmabi College in Kodungallur and beaten up. It was here that Arun became in a critical condition. While the accused were putting the two in the car, Shashankan escaped and hid in a scrap shop in the area. Arun died in the meantime.

Attempts to dump body on the way

The locals noticed when the accused tried to dump the body on the way. Following this, the accused then called an ambulance saying that one person was injured in an accident. After loading the body in the ambulance, the accused escaped after telling the driver that they would follow the body in the car. Arun's death came to light after a check-up by doctors at a private hospital in Kodungallur. There are bruises all over the body. The bridge of the nose was also damaged. Kodungallur DySP VK Raju, CI Shajahan, SI Sooraj and others nabbed the accused. The 'rice puller' is a copper pot that fraudsters claim has magical powers. It is made of a metal called iridium copper. The scam is that this will help in financial gain.