Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala police on Sunday night took into custody two more suspects who were on the run after the murder of real estate agent, V. Rajeev, 43.
The investigation team took into custody the suspects, C.O. Johnny and Painadath Ranjith, from Palakkad. It was earlier feared that Johnny had fled abroad via the Coimbatore airport.
The murder hit the headlines after it was alleged by friends and relatives of the deceased that prominent lawyerC.P. Udayabhanu was also linked to the murder. Udayabhanu categorically denied the allegation, and said matters would become clear once the investigation progressed.
Including the two taken into custody on Sunday night, police now have picked up seven persons in connection with Rajeev’s murder.
Rajeev’s family believes that the murder was the result of some dispute over a land deal in which Rajeev had taken an advance of Rs5 million (Dh280,703).
Rajeev’s son, Akhil, complained to police that his father had faced threats from Udayabhanu and Johnny multiple times and that there was a threat to his father’s life.
His body was found in an unoccupied building in Pariyaram owned by the DM Convent, and police officials said he had been abducted by a gang and later murdered by strangulating and smothering.
Police believe the death may also have occurred while forcing Rajeev to sign on some documents.
Before his death, Rajeev had sent complaints to the director general of police and the chief minister, pointing out the threats he was facing from the accused. However, no action was taken on his petitions to the authorities.
