The Payyannur police investigating the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker Choorakkad Biju on May 12 have identified some of the suspected assailants involved in the crime.
The police seized the silver colour Innova car used by the assailants. The investigating officers said the murder was committed by a gang led by people known for their connection with the CPI(M).
While the exact number of people involved in the act still unclear, preliminary investigation based on the statement of a key eyewitness indicated that there were six to eight people inside the car used by the assailants.
Whether the murder was committed with the connivance of local CPI(M) leadership was not within the scope of the current phase of investigation, the police said, adding that the investigators were zeroing in on the suspected accused.
The police seized the car from Maniyara, near Payyannur, on Sunday morning during patrolling. The owner of the vehicle has been identified as Bijoy of Ramanthali. He was being questioned in police custody.
The police said he had rented the vehicle and had not been involved in the crime. The person who hired the vehicle for the assailants and the man who drove it had been identified, the police said.
The vehicle was identified from CCTV camera footage installed in nearby shops and houses.
Car confirmed
Investigation confirmed that the seized car was the vehicle used by the assailants to follow Biju who was pillion riding on a motorcycle. Forensic experts examined the car and the motorcycle and found marks caused by the impact of the two vehicles. There were also blood stains inside the car, the police said.
The police said the assailants had followed him in the hired vehicle and knocked down the two-wheeler near Palakkot river around 4 p.m. on Friday and hacked him to death. His friend Rajesh, who was driving the two-wheeler and fled to safety, was the key witness.
“Identification of people who were inside the vehicle and were involved in the crime is being done,” Taliparamba Deputy Superintendent of Police K.V. Venugopal said.
The police force in the district continued to keep vigil in tense areas in and around Payyannur. The police were deployed in large numbers in the area and patrolling was strengthened.
