THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The chief minister said that all steps have been taken to ensure maximum punishment for the accused in connection with the murder of police driver Shyam Prasad in Kottayam. He was replying to N Jayaraj's submission in the Assembly. The Ettumanoor police have registered a case in the incident as crime No. 170/2025. The accused Jibin George arrested has been remanded, said the chief minister.

'As a police officer, Shyam Prasad was killed while fulfilling his responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people. All steps have been taken to ensure maximum punishment for the accused in the incident that shocked the conscience of the community. Necessary steps will be taken to provide all the benefits under the current system to Shyam Prasad's family,' the chief minister said.

C K Shyam Prasad (44), a driver at Kottayam West Station, was tragically killed in Manjoor Thattamparambil (Chirayil). The accused, Perumbayikad Anikkal Jibin George, was at a nearby bar since the morning of the incident. He had consumed various brands of alcohol and ganja and had reached his friend Prakash's roadside shop at around 11 pm. It was at this time that Prakash and the nearby shopkeeper Sally had an argument and Shyam came here, culminating in the murder. Jibin, an accused in seven cases, used to borrow money from people coming to the bar and drink. He was a regular visitor here.