Two hotel employees, David from Vizhinjam and Suresh from Nepal, were arrested late Tuesday night in connection with the murder of hotel owner Justin Raj. His body was discovered earlier that day in Edappazhinji, wrapped in a sheet, with strangulation suspected as the cause of death.
The accused, who had been absconding since the incident, were apprehended from Adimalathura following a brief confrontation during which four police officers sustained injuries. Both were employed at Kerala Cafe near Cotton Hill School.
Police revealed that Justin Raj had visited the staff’s rented house in Edappazhinji Tuesday morning after they failed to report for work. When he did not return, coworkers went looking and found his lifeless body. His vehicle was also missing at the time.
During interrogation, the duo confessed, citing resentment over their dismissal as the motive behind the killing.
Justin Raj, the son-in-law of former MLA and CPM leader M Sathyanesan, was known for personally opening the hotel at 5 a.m. daily. His sudden death has left the local community in shock.
Investigations are ongoing, with forensic analysis and background checks underway.
