Kozhikode: Two arrested in teacher murder case
The police have made a breakthrough in a case of murder of a retired headmistress by arresting two persons and detaining the prime suspect in Abu Dhabi.
P.V. Janaki was murdered at her Puliyannur residence, near Cheemeni, in the district on December 13 last year.
The police convened a press conference at the Hosdurg police station on Thursday to confirm the arrest of two youths Vishakh, 26, and Rinesh, 24, from Cheemeni on Wednesday night. Both hail from Puliyannur. Later in the day, the police said Arun, 27, also from Puliyannur was detained at his workplace in Abu Dhabi for his alleged involvement in the crime.
Arun will be brought late in the day to Kozhikode and the local police will register his arrest at the airport itself, Superintendent of Police K.G. Simon told The Hindu here.
The police made the breakthrough following a tip-off reportedly from Ramachandran, father of Vishakh, also an old student of the slain teacher, after the youth was found on a spending spree. The interrogation of Vishakh resulted in the arrest of Rinesh.
The accused disposed of the looted valuables at a jewellery outlet in Kannur and another outlet in Mangaluru, Mr. Simon said.
Director General of Police, North Zone, Rajesh Dewan, who was present at the press conference, said the 30-member investigating team deserved praise for bringing the culprits to book.
Mr. Dewan said though the motive of the gang was to burgle the house of Janaki, who was residing with her husband K.Krishnan, 80, also a retired headmaster, two of the accused were firm on murdering the couple to destroy evidence.
However, the duo let go Mr. Krishnan taking pity on him after they injured him.
Senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Mahipal Yadav and Kanhangad Dy.SP K. Damodaran, were present at the press meet.
The accused were charged under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 449 (trespass), 384 (extortion), 397 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death). They were produced before a court here which remanded them in two weeks’ judicial custody.