The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Gang leader questioned

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Thursday, Oct 05, 2006
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Gang leader questioned

Staff Reporter

Suspect heads a criminal gang involved in gangland killings

Thiruvananthapuram: The rural police on Wednesday questioned `Aprani' Krishnakumar, a 28-year-old youth wanted in as many as 18 cases, including murder and extortion.

Officials said the suspect headed a criminal gang that profited from extortion, illegal money-lending, rent-a-car, and muscle-for-money operations in the district.

Krishnakumar, who was high on the wanted list of the Rural police, had surrendered before the court last week. The police sought his custody in connection with the murder of one Satheesh in February and 17 other charges, which included attempted to murder, assault and violation of the Explosives Substances Act.

The police said a gang leader based in Chenthi in Pongumoodu had harboured Krishnakumar all these days. The police took Krishnakumar to several locations in Kazhakuttom as part of the ongoing investigation into his allegedly illegal means of income. An official said two expensive vehicles owned by a benami of the accused have been hired out to a Technopark-based private company. The police alleged that Krishnakumar's gang also extorted money from persons having the contract to reclaim the wetlands for further expansion of Techno Park. They have taken into custody one `Makri' Lalu, a close associate of Krishnakumar.

The police are also on the lookout for one `Karate' Suresh, a 30-year-old man who heads a rival gang in the area. At least two persons have been killed and several others seriously injured in the two-year-old rivalry between the opposing gangs in the area. The police said a top gang leader having powerful political and official connections was harbouring `Karate' Suresh. The city police had arrested the gang leader early this year. The police said he had resumed his "old ways" after coming out on bail and was mustering many criminal elements to his fold.

Meanwhile, the Rural police arrested three persons from Pothencode on the charge of violating the Arms Act. They were identified as Kunjumon, Vishnu and `Karadi' Shibu. The police said the arrested persons were those named as accused in the gangland murder of `Motta' Ani at Kaimanam in the city early this year.

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