Manoj murder: probe reaches a decisive stage

Sources close to the investigating team said several CPI(M) workers were under the scanner as part of the probe into the murder of Manoj near Kathirur here on September 1.

The Crime Branch team investigating the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker E. Manoj is questioning local Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers in and around Kathirur as it has got clues that can lead to the establishment of conspiracy in the killing.

Sources close to the investigating team said several CPI(M) workers were under the scanner as part of the probe into the murder of Manoj near Kathirur here on September 1. Many of them were being summoned by the team for questioning.

Arrest imminent

The sources said the team had already secured information as to the involvement of some people in the conspiracy. The arrest of some of them was imminent.

In a related development, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who is part of the investigating team, received a threatening phone call from a prominent CPI(M) leader in the district after the police took into custody a party worker, who is also driver of the party district committee’s vehicle, for questioning.

The sources in the team said the CPI(M) leader spoke to the DySP over the phone after the party worker was taken by the police personnel to the camp office for questioning on September 14.

Though the worker had been asked by the team to appear before it for questioning, he refused to do so on some excuses.

He was then taken into custody for questioning.

The phone call from the leader followed that, the sources said adding that the leader ended the call with a threat.

The police, however, did not register a case in connection with this incident, they said.

Meanwhile, the investigating team is also collecting information to identify the persons who had provided safe haven for prime suspect Vikraman till he surrendered before a court here on September 11.

Steps are on to identify the person who had taken Vikraman on a two-wheeler to the court compound.

According to the sources, the driver of the party vehicle was taken into custody for interrogation to get details about people involved in protecting Vikraman at a hideout till his surrender.