The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of Veeranparambil Rajeev, on Monday, informed the Kerala High Court that noted criminal lawyer CP Udayabhanu will be made the seventh accused, reports Deccan Chronicle.

The prosecution while opposing the anticipatory bail plea of the lawyer, submitted that there was ample evidence to implicate him. However, the SIT is yet to file the report arraigning him in the magistrate court for HC intervention.

Akhil VR, son of Rajeev, submitted that Udayabhanu was the kingpin of the crime.

When the case came up for hearing, the court asked about the progress in the investigation. Prosecution submitted that six accused have been arrested and Udayabhanu will be made the seventh accused, reports Times of India.

Akhil argued that facts of the case revealed Udayabhanu's complicity and he does not deserve any sympathy.

The prosecution filed the report in a sealed cover. It submitted that the lawyer had contacted real estate broker Chakkara Johny and his accomplice Ranjith, 29 times on the day of the murder.

The court said that its earlier interim order will not stand in the way of investigation. It adjourned the hearing to October 23.

S Shamsudeen, Special Branch DySP (Thrissur Rural), who is heading the SIT, said he was confident of a favourable order from the High Court on October 23. He told DC that the team doesn't intend to summon the lawyer by issuing a notice for questioning till then.

The 46-year-old Rajeev was found strangulated to death in a deserted building near Chalakudy in Thrissur in the last week of September.

He had complained to the DGP, three months back, about a threat from Udayabhanu and Johny.