Thodupuzha: A convict, who was booked for the murder of a plantation owner Jose C Kappan (57) in Karnataka 10 years back, was arrested from his hideout in Attappadi. The sons of Jose C Kappan helped Karnataka police trace the hideout of the accused Ommala native Siju Kurian (36).
The Karnataka High Court had sentenced him to life imprisonment in the case 10 years ago. Though the court convicted him, the accused went absconding.
Sajith J Kappan and Ranji Jose Kappan, sons of the victim, traced the hideout of the accused after conducting an investigation. Later, they informed the Karnataka police.
10 year-long legal battle
Jose C Kappan who resided at Shimoga in Karnataka went missing in 2011. He owned a plantation at Shimoga. Police arrested Siju, an employee at the plantation, over the missing of Jose. In the statement to police, Siju revealed that he thrashed Jose to death and buried his body on a compost pit. The accused confessed that he murdered the plantation owner to grab his wealth.
The trial court acquitted him in the absence of evidence.
Following this, his sons moved an appeal in the High Court with the help of investigation officer ACP SD Saranappa.
In March 2020, the HC found Siju guilty in the murder of the plantation owner and sentenced him to life imprisonment. But Siju left Karnataka before the court pronounced the verdict.
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, Karnataka police failed to carry out a probe in Kerala.
Sajith C Kappan revealed that they started to look out for Siju themselves as the police turned helpless.
“We identified that Siju, a native of Ommala has been residing at Kakkuppadi. Later, we informed the matter to the Karnataka police.
On Friday, Karnataka police reached Palakkad. Sajith and Ranji also accompanied the police to Attappadi.
CI Sasi Kumar, CPOs Shan and Suresh at Agaly police station assisted Karnataka police to nab Siju.
“We are grateful to God. We, the 10 siblings stood together to bring the accused before the law,” responded Sajith after nabbing the accused.
