The Medical College police, on Friday, cracked the mystery behind an “obscure death” reported from the Pipeline Road area a year ago by arresting two youths hailing from Kottuli. The accused, Sunil Babu, 22, and Praveen Simon, 22, confessed to the police that they were responsible for the death of Sreekumar, 48.
According to the police, the man had died of a head injury he suffered in an encounter with the youths who tried to snatch his costly mobile phone on May 12, 2012. The duo could easily overpower him as he was alone and reportedly drunk.
Earlier, the local people believed Sreekumar had died of injuries suffered in an accident occurred near the Pipeline Road. They had found him lying unconscious on the roadside on May 13. He later died at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The police too had considered it as an accident death till they got a fresh complaint from Sreekumar’s wife, Sudha.
The investigation took a twist when the police squad led by Circle Inspector K. Ullas tracked a mobile phone used by the victim. According to the police, the mobile phone was with the youths who did not switch it on for months to evade any possible inquiries. A few weeks ago, it was switched on and the investigators could easily track the user, the police said.
The family members had earlier informed the police about the loss of a mobile phone and an ATM card used by Sreekumar. The police are yet to retrieve the card.
The accused, who were charged under section 302 (punishment for murder) and 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code, were presented before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Kunnamangalam and remanded. Both of them were friends and working as plumbers in the city.
