The city police on Thursday arrested one more person in connection with the demolition of the Sapphire hotel in Kochi.
Shahir, 34, the fifth accused in the case was arrested from Palakkaparambil in Mattanchery.
During interrogation, Shahir confessed to taking part in the demolition, coordinated by Joy, who had been picked by the police the other day from Karnataka.
Meanwhile, officials said the police are likely to issue a lookout notice against Khadar Pilla, the building’s owner as investigations revealed that he played a key role behind the operation.
The police have traced Mr.Pilla to the US where he runs iron and steel business but their efforts to get in touch with him have proved futile.
Sleuths have so far identified eight persons involved in the mid-night operation, carried out in the guise of works on the Kochi metro rail project.
The case pertains to the pulling down of a portion of the restaurant using excavators around 1.30 a.m on October 16.
Sapphire Hotel, which has been functioning since 1968, is currently run by Nahas and his partners who had a dispute with the owner of the building over rent.
Khadar Pilla reportedly wanted to increase the rent of the building from Rs. 6,000.
