Missing man's body found in mangrove forest, five in custody

A 19-year-old man missing since July 2 was allegedly killed and his body dumped in a mangrove forest at Nettoor here, police said Thursday.

Five people, including a juvenile, have been taken into custody in connection with the killing of Arjun from Kumbalam.

While four are in their early 20s, the other is a juvenile.

Arjun was allegedly killed by the group to avenge the death of the elder brother of the prime accused last year, police said.

According to police, he had died in a two-wheeler accident last year.

The main accused believed that his brother was killed by Arjun, who was riding pillion.

A verbal spat on the issue led to a brawl and Arjun was killed, police said.

The incident occurred on July 2.

All the accused including the juvenile are suspected to be drug addicts. There are cases against some of them in connection with drug abuse, police said.

Meanwhile, the victim's father, M S Vidhyan, alleged that police did not conduct proper probe into the case.

Police refuted allegations of laxity in the case.

The accused were under police surveillance ever since the man-missing complaint was lodged by the family on July 3, Deputy Commissioner of Police G Poonguzhali said.