Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Wanted man, associate arrested near Kilimanoor

Thiruvananthapuram: The rural police have arrested the alleged kingpin of a Neyyattinkara-based gang responsible for several crimes in the district at Kadambattukonam, near Kilimanoor.

M. Radhakrishnan Nair, Circle Inspector, Venjaramoodu, identified the suspect as Santhi Bhushan, 35.

He is one of the main suspects in the Neyyattinkara Bishop House attack case. The police also arrested his associate Aralanmoodu Krishnan.

Mr. Nair said the suspects were arrested while attempting to steal a goat owned by Baby, a farmer.

The accused were returning after a late-night movie when they spotted the goat tied in front of Baby’s hut. They knocked the animal unconscious, tied its legs and hauled it on to the carrier of their motorbike. The farmer spotted them and alerted the police.

The police said that Bhushan initially posed as a hotel owner. The suspect gave his name as Prasanth and said he had bought the goat from a breeder.

The police learned his identity when they questioned him at the station. His photograph figured on the most-wanted list of the district police.

Investigators said Shanthi Bhushan had been evading arrest for the past two years.

In 2009, the Neyyattinkara police booked him on the charge of attempting to murder one Krishnankutty, a real estate broker, for not paying him protection money (Crime 174/2009) and daring to complain to the police about his extortion bids.

They said Bhushan headed an extortion racket in the Neyyattinkara police sub-division.

His victims included local traders, bar hotel owners, illicit spirit retailers, moneylenders and drug peddlers. Bhushan broke Krishnankutty’s legs and parcelled a funeral wreath to his wife, thereby sending a clear message to those businessmen who hoped to resist his bids to extort money from them.

In 2007, the police booked Bhushan on the charge of kidnapping Parassala Jagadesh, a liquor contractor.

The same year, he was named as one of the main accused in an armed robbery in the house of a businessman in Athiyanoor. Both had dared to resist his bid to extort money from them, police said.

In 2006, Bhushan served six months in prison under the provisions of the Kerala Anti Social Activities (Prevention) Act.

Investigators said Bhushan was living with a married woman under a different identity in a house at Kadambattukonam. They said Bhushan had threatened and scared away the woman’s husband, a Gulf returnee.

He also cohabited with another woman for some time at Thycattussery in Alappuzha district till recently.

He, along with another wanted man, “Killer” Suresh, managed the woman’s extensive shrimp and lobster farm.

Bhushan fled Alappuzha after a police team from the city reached the farm and blew his cover.

Investigators said Bhushan and his gang were responsible for over 50 livestock thefts in the Neyyattinkara area. Bhushan regularly held extensive parties for his associates where stolen meat and liquor were served lavishly. The police were looking for his associates “Poovar” Justine, Shyam Dev and “Puli” Vineesh.

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Wanted man, associate arrested near Kilimanoor

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