Crime News

KOLLAM: A youth was killed in a fight between drug traffickers. The incident happened at 11 pm last night in Jayanti Nagar at Edavattom in Poreekkal, Kollam. The dead is Gokulnath (35), son of late Reghunath Pillai of Gokulam in Edavattom. Arun of Arun Bhavan in Jayanti Nagar, suspected to be the accused in the incident is absconding. Police said the two are links of a gang selling ganja. The fight was in front of Jose’ house in Jayanti Nagar. The people rushing to the spot hearing the screams found Gokul lying in a weak condition. ‘I am not feeling well, please take me to the hospital,’ Gokul was heard asking. Arun also joined in rushing Gokul to the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. He then escaped from there. The police have started an investigation into the incident.

A 70-year-old woman was found brutall murdered at Vattathara in Chavara, Kollam on Sunday. Police have taken her grandson Shahanas, 28, into custody in connection with th crime.Police identified the deceased as Sulekha Beevi who was discovered with her head severed which was placed inside a cover hidden underneath a bed. Police suspect that Shahanas was allegedly enraged over not being given his grandmother’s pension money. According to police sources, the accused is a habitual offender and has several cases registered against him, mainly related to drug use and possession. Officers said he was addicted to narcotics for some time and this addiction often led to violent behaviour at home.Incidentally, his mother Mumtaz reportedly who is also a witness to the gruesome incident attempted suicide shortly after the murder. She has been hospitalized and is under medical observation, officials said.Police stated that Shahanas will undergo a medical examination and further interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation. Forensic experts have been called in to collect evidence from the crime scene.Chavara Police have registered a murder case, and a detailed probe is underway.