The Karunagappally police on Wednesday arrested Aluva Athul, the prime accused in the murder of A Santhosh Kumar, also known as Gym Santhosh, from Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu. Athul had been on the run since the March 27 killing, in which Santhosh was hacked to death at his residence in Padanayarkulangara, Kerala.
Eight others — Pankaj Menon, Rajeev, Hari, Sonu, Pyari, Samuel, Manu, and Chakkara Athul — had already been arrested in connection with the case. According to police, the group trespassed into Santhosh’s house and carried out a planned attack to avenge a previous assault by Santhosh on Pankaj Menon.
On March 29, police had nearly apprehended Athul when they intercepted a vehicle at Aluva carrying him, his wife, and child. Athul, however, managed to escape, abandoning his family and going underground. He later assumed a fake identity and was traced after his wife received a suspicious phone call, which tipped off authorities.
With the help of local police in Tamil Nadu, the Karunagappally team confirmed Athul’s location and captured him in Tiruvallur. He was brought back to Karunagappally police station on Wednesday night, and his arrest was formally recorded. He will be produced in court on Thursday and remanded.
“We are continuing to examine the roles of other accused. The murder was an act of revenge, as Santhosh had previously attacked Pankaj,” said a police spokesperson.
