Two days after 21-year-old Anandhu Gireesh from Konchiravila was found murdered, the Thiruvananthapuram police on Thursday booked and arrested 11 more accused in the case.
Anandhu’s body was found near a bike showroom close to Kaimanam on the Karamana - Kaliyikkavila national highway on Wednesday. According to the police, a conspiracy had been hatched to abduct and kill Anandhu by the accused.
“We have arrested 11 people so far in the case. These include Arun Babu (22), Abhilash (29), Karthik (21), Vishnu Raj (23), Harilal (23), Vinish Raj (20), Aneesh (24), Akhil (21) and Vijay Raj (18),” Karamana police told TNM. Two others, who were arrested on Wednesday, include 19-year-old Balu and 21-year-old Roshan.
Cases have been registered against the accused in the Karamana station.
“The sections we have registered are 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention),” the officer added.
According to reports, a clash had taken place between Anandhu’s group and another group from Neeramankara during the Konchiravila temple festival on Tuesday, and this is believed to be the reason behind the crime.
Anandhu’s abduction came to light after one of his friends received a phone call from Anandhu’s number informing him about the same. Soon after this, Anandhu’s mobile phone was switched off.
“Anandhu’s murder was the result of a small argument which flared up and turned into murder. The accused persons and the victim had known each other previously and have had altercations before. The accused persons were found to be in an intoxicated state prior to the incident,” the officer added.
When Anandhu’s body was discovered, it was found that the nerves on his hands were cut.