Kerala former RJ’s murder: Main accused arrested in Thiruvananthapuram

Weeks after Rajesh, a former radio jockey, was hacked to death in rural Thiruvananthapuram in March end, the police on Tuesday, arrested the main accused in the case.

Salih Bin Jalal, also known as Alibhai, was arrested from the Thiruvananthapuram airport by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Kilimanoor Circle Inspector Pradeep Kumar.

Earlier, there were unconfirmed reports that stated that Salih may arrive in Thiruvananthapuram to surrender on Tuesday morning.

The CI told TNM that Salih was one of the three people who hacked Rajesh to death on March 27 in the wee hours of the morning. A fourth member, who was part of the team that attacked the former radio jockey, waited in the car while the crime took place.

"This is the fourth arrest in the case. Salih had fled to Qatar after committing the crime and we had sought the help of the Doha police and the Interpol to find him. Today morning (April 10), he landed in the Thiruvananthapuram airport. It is not clear as of now if he was arrested by the Interpol and sent here. We have to question Salih first," Pradeep Kumar said.

Abdul Sathar, an NRI businessman, is the second accused in the case.

According to the investigating team, Abdul Sathar hired contract killers to hack Rajesh to death. They believe that Rajesh had an affair with Abdul Sathar's wife, a dancer based in Qatar. This alleged relationship is said to be the motive behind the crime.

With main accused Salih being held, the number of arrests made in the case has risen to four.

First, they arrested Sanu from Thodupuzha for hiding weapons. Then, a few days later, the police arrested 22-year-old Yasir Aboobacker from Bengaluru. A software engineer from Oachira, Yasir was arrested for allegedly helping the assailants carry out the crime.

Following this, the police also arrested Swathi Santhosh, a man from Kundara, who allegedly arranged for the weapons which were used to hack Rajesh.

Rajesh, who had worked as a radio jockey in Thiruvananthapuram, went to Qatar a few years ago. He however, returned to Thiruvananthapuram and set up a recording studio.