KOCHI: The police team probing the murder of SFI leader M Abhimanyu at the Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam has arrested two more Popular Front of India activists. Officers said Anoop, a native of Vennala in Kochi, and Nizar, hailing from Karuvelippady in Thoppumpady, were arrested on Thursday.
Nizar had helped the assailants escape from Kochi in his car, the police said. The sleuths recovered the vehicle. Officers said Anoop was part of the gang that hatched up the conspiracy to conduct the murder.
With the arrest of the duo, the number of persons nabbed in the case has risen to nine. Meanwhile, the police took two more persons into custody. Those held are Shahjahan and Shiraz Ali, natives of Arookutty, Cherthala, and neighbours of Mohammed, a student of the Maharaja’s College and a Campus Front activist.
Mohammed is alleged to have brought the assailants to the College to conduct the crime. Shahjahan and Shiraz too are Popular Front of India members, but police officers said they are investigating whether they have any involvement in the killing.
The Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of Bilal Saji, 19, Chirackal, Kangazha, Kottayam, Farooq Amani,19, Kottangal, Pathanamthitta and Riyaz Hussain, 35 of Palluruthi , who were arrested earlier in the case.