Eleven gang members wanted in connection with the murder of the Muthoot businessman were arrested today.
Eleven persons wanted in connection with the murder of Paul Muthoot George, a prominent businessman, were arrested today, with police discounting the possibility of the killing being the result of a pre-planned attack.
IGP Winson M Paul, heading the team probing the case, told reporters here that George appeared to have been murdered by the gang on a "sudden provocation" after they came across him at a deserted spot on Alappuzha-Changanssery road early on Saturday.
He said all aspects, including the role of two alleged gang leaders from Thiruvananthapuram who were accompanying George when the incident occurred, were also being probed. They would also examine if any "deeper conspiracy" was there in the matter, he said.
Paul said the gang, which was proceeding to Alappuzha in a tempo for an 'operation' killed George following a scuffle after his vehicle hit and threw off a motorcyclist. They chased his car for about 2.5 km, blocked it and stabbed him with a sharp weapon.
The other gang members, apart from 11 already arrested, were yet to be traced, including the main accused who stabbed George, the top officer said.
He said a search was on for the two alleged gangsters Omprakash and Rajesh, whose arrest would lead to more details of the case as they were travelling with George but fled after the incident.
According to police, Omprakash and Rajesh sped away from the spot in the car in which George was travelling.
However, the car was found abandoned at Chavara near Kollam and some evidence, including a bag containing toiletry items were found.
The injured motorcyclist was questioned and let off as he appeared to have no connection with the crime, the IG said.
He said there would be more arrests in the coming days and added that 200 persons had so far been questioned.
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