All 7 accused directly involved in murder of Karamana Akhil arrested

Thiruvananthapuram: Police on Sunday arrested all seven accused directly involved in the gruesome murder of Karamana native Akhil. While police confirmed the arrest of five accused in the case earlier today, the prime accused -- Sumesh -- was taken into custody in the evening.

Among the three key accused, Akhil alias Appu was nabbed from Tamil Nadu on Saturday night, while Vineeth Raj landed in the police net at Chenkalchoola in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. It is learnt that Akhil had attacked the victim with a stone. Harilal, Kiran and Kiran Krishna, who police said were involved in the conspiracy, have also been nabbed.

Akhil (26) who ran a pet shop was murdered by a three-member gang on Friday night. The CCTV visuals of the attack aired on TV channels, showed three men repeatedly and brutally attacking the victim with wire rods and bricks even after he fell to the ground.

According to the FIR, the three arrived there in a car to attack the victim. There was previous enmity between the accused and the victim as they had got into an argument a few days ago at a bar. Police suspect that this enmity may be the reason for the attack.

A case under Sections 302 (murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 341(wrongful restraint) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC has been lodged against the three accused.

(With PTI inputs)