KOCHI: A 45-year-old hotel owner was stabbed to death allegedly by an irate customer in broad daylight on Wednesday.
Johnson, Mangalapalli, Janatha Road, Vyttila, who runs Hotel Shibin at Vyttila, was stabbed in the neck by Idukki native Ratheesh. The assailant was reportedly incensed by the poor quality of snacks served to him. Following the incident,the accused fled the scene.
According to Maradu Police, the incident occurred around 2.30 pm and the suspect was said to be in an inebriated condition.
“Ratheesh, who had breakfast from the hotel, entered into a brawl with Johnson over the quality of the ‘vada’ served to him. Following this, he left the shop. Later, as Ratheesh was having a drink at a beer parlour, he saw Johnson passing through the SA Road.
After accosting Johnson, the accused picked a quarrel with him and stabbed him with a knife,” said an officer attached to the Maradu Police station.
Johnson was rushed to a hospital nearby and later to the Medical Trust Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries by 4.30 pm. According to the officers, the deep gash on the neck which had cut the veins led to Johnson’s death.
Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner K Lalji said a major manhunt had been launched for the suspect.