THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a suspected fallout of a personal grudge, a handicraft shop owner fired at a restaurant owner using a country-made gun at Varkala on Tuesday. The restaurant owner escaped unhurt. Later, the Varkala police arrested the shop owner.
According to the police, the accused has been identified as Shibin Philip, a native of Alappuzha. He has been running a handicraft shop at the Cliffside for the past ten years. The victim has been identified as Shyam Kumar, who runs Darjeeling restaurant at Cliffside.
The incident took place around 7.45 pm when Shyam Kumar was standing in front of his restaurant.
Soon, Shibin charged at Shyam Kumar and shot him. Shyam had a close shave as he managed to step aside. The accused then started pointing the gun at the locals and tried to flee from the place.
Following this, the locals sought the assistance of the tourism police on Varkala beach to trace him. Though the police chased Shibin, he managed to hide in a high-rise building near the beach. Later, the police spotted him on the rooftop of the building. When he realised that he would be caught, he threw away the gun. The police recovered the weapon and sent it for forensic examination.
“There was enmity between Shibin and Shyam Kumar. Two years ago, the two had entered into a heated argument during a birthday party which later turned into a scuffle. After entering into brawls on several occasions, Shibin finally decided to kill Shyam. He is being questioned to find out the source of the gun. It is suspected that the gun was bought from North India.
He has been booked under Section 307 ( attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the Arms Act,” said G Praiju, Varkala SI. The accused will be produced before the magistrate on Wednesday.