Kerala Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed personal staff member was on Tuesday arrested along with his friend in connection with the murder of a woman sweeper attached with the Congress office at Nilambur in Malappuram district.
The arrested were identified as V.K. Biju (38), personal staff of the Minister, and his friend Shamsuddin (29).
Mr. Biju was suspended from service in the wake of the incident, an official in the Minister’s office said.
The body of the 49-year-old victim, who was reportedly missing since February 5, 2014 was found in a pond at Chulliyot near Malappuram on Monday, police said.
Quoting the post-mortem report, police said there was an attempt of rape before she was suffocated to death.
Relatives of the woman had earlier lodged a complaint with the police that she had not returned from her work place.
Mr. Biju told police that the woman had threatened him that she would disclose his alleged affair with a woman which prompted him to kill her.
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Mr. Muhammed said he would not protect the culprits and they should be punished.
The Minister also said he was ready for any probe to bring the truth behind the incident.
