Kannur: BJP constituency president and Thalassery municipal councillor Lijesh is suspected as the mastermind behind the murder of CPM activist Haridasan in Thalassery, said police. The probe team has recorded the arrest of four people, including Lijesh, in connection with the case.

Apart from Lijesh, KV Vimin, Amal Manoharan and Sumesh were also arrested. The police consider a WhatsApp call made by Lijesh at around 1 am on the day of the murder as crucial evidence against him in the case. According to reports, he accidentally dialled the number of his relative while trying to contact one of the accused Sumesh. Lijesh later called Sumesh and he informed Lijeesh that Haridasan has reached home from the harbour.

It is assumed that the accused had been conspiring to murder Haridasan for a week. A gang of men were ready to attack in front of the house waiting for Haridasan. They arrived on two bikes.

The accused who were directly involved in the murder is yet to be caught. The police consider the controversial speech of the Lijesh as one of the crucial pieces of evidence in the case. Police have received information that some of the accused were also involved in the murder of Kannipoyil Babu, a CPM activist in Mahe.