In a dramatic sequence of incidents, a two-member gang attempted to kidnap a young freelance photographer along with his car and when it was foiled by a police checking team, they ran over and killed an unsuspecting two-wheeler rider at Panampilly Nagar.
Thomas, 59, a musician from Kumbalanghi, succumbed to his injuries at a city hospital on Wednesday around 1 a.m. The accused, Ben, 32, and Banny, 32, of Chullikkal in Fort Kochi, who had fled the scene, were picked up from Chullikkal around 7 a.m. on Wednesday by a team from the South police.
According to the police, Vineeth, 30, a Perumbavoor-based freelance photographer, was beaten up and forcibly taken away in his own car by the accused, as revenge for a past incident, from an eatery at Panampilly Nagar on Tuesday afternoon.
“The duo were taking him to Fort Kochi when the car was intercepted by a police team. Vineeth managed to scramble out screaming for help when the car slowed down at the checking point. Following this, the accused accelerated the car, which rammed a two-wheeler just in front under the impact of which the rider fell down and was thrown under the wheels of the car,” said N.S. Roy, Sub Inspector, South police.
The police had secured video footage of the gruesome incident. A team led by Mr. Roy arrested the accused on Wednesday morning.
Mr. Roy said both the accused were habitual offenders with cases registered against them, including for murders and ganja peddling, in Maradu, Kadavanthra, Hill Palace and South police stations.
The police have registered two cases against Ben, who had driven the car, and one against Banny, invoking IPC Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 363 (kidnapping, 392 (robbery) 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The accused will be produced in court on Thursday.
