The Panangad Police arrested a person in connection with the murder of Shamsudheen, a businessman, near the Nettoor Market road on Wednesday. The accused is Joshy, a native of Aroor, who is a real estate dealer.
According G Venu, circle-inspector, South Police Station, Shamsudheen had to pay `12 lakh to Joshy with regard to a land deal. An altercation broke out between the two in this connection following which Shamsudheen was murdered. “Joshy was the middleman in a land deal between Shamsudheen and another person. Since the document writing got delayed, Joshy arranged `12 from his friend after Shamsudheen promised to pay back the money. But even after repeated requests, Shamsudheen did not repay the amount. But, his friend started to threaten him demanding the money. Under severe financial pressure, Joshy decided to murder Shamsudheen and escape to Tamil Nadu,” Venu said.
Modus Operandi
On Monday evening, Joshy called Shamsudheen and requested him to come to Nettoor to see a plot. Joshy had brought a knife with him intending to murder Shamsudheen. By 9.30 p.m., Joshy took Shamsudheen to an isolated place near Nettoor market. The quarrel broke out between two when Joshy asked for the money. Following this, Joshy stabbed Shamsudheen repeatedly and later fled the spot in Shamsudheen’s car.
The police got a lead in the case after the visiting card of Joshy was recovered from the spot. When they arrived at his residence at Aroor, Joshy escaped to his relative’s house at Cherathala. However, the police nabbed him from Cherthala bus stand. The police recovered the car of Shamsudheen from Aroor.
“Joshy has no criminal background and was known to have clean habits. He committed the crime under financial pressure,” police official said.
Joshy was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate and remanded in judicial custody. The police is also investigating the land deals made by Joshy in the past.