Kundara murder: Two accused arrested

KOLLAM: Two men were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a gym owner at Peryam in Kollam district.
Kundara police have arrested Prajeesh (23), alias Achu, and Binto Babu (21), both residents of Perayam, for allegedly murdering Shakeer Babu (28) alias Chikku of Ashtamudi, a habitual criminal, due to prior enmity on Tuesday.
The murder occurred at 5.30pm near Kurisadi Junction, Perayam and soon after, the accused fled to Kochi.When Prajeesh and Binto were roaming in the city to find a suitable hideout, Elamakkara police chanced upon them. Police noticed wounds on the hand of one of the accused. Upon questioning, the accused revealed the incident to police. Elamakkara police then handed over the accused to their counterparts in Kundara.
The team led by Kundara police inspector Jayakrishnan, sub-inspector Vidhaydhiraj, assistant sub-inspectors Ashik Kohoor and Ajayakumar effected the arrest.
According to police, Shakeer had repeatedly insulted Prajeesh’s sister a few months back. Prajeesh warned Shakeer of dire consequences if he continued to target his sister. Shakeer along with a four-member criminal gang then kidnapped Prajeesh in a car and beat him up severely.
Kundara police rescued Prajeesh from Shakeer's custody. Police arrested Shakeer, but he was later released on bail. He repeatedly violated bail conditions and got arrested and landed in jail again. However, he got bail from High Court citing that he had spent over three months in jail without being chargesheeted.
On Tuesday evening, Shakeer once again entered into an argument with Prajeesh and assaulted him. Prajeesh’s friends and local residents managed to escort him back to his house. But Prajeesh returned to the spot within minutes along with his friend Binto and stabbed Shakeer. He sustained several stabs on the neck and other parts of the body. Though he was taken to a hospital, his life could not be saved.
When police tried to take Prajeesh and Binto to Peryam for evidence gathering, Shakeer’s gang members came to Kundara police station and raised death threats against the accused. Following the incident, police deferred the evidence gathering and kept the accused in the station itself. They will be produced in the court on Thursday.