PALAKKAD: Shocking details have emerged regarding the brutal lynching of a mentally unstable young man by a seven-member gang in Moolathara. Meenakshipuram police clarified that the brutal murder stemmed from the accused's grudge over the victim sleeping in their front yard. Police have arrested seven people in connection with the incident, including the prime suspect, Kathiresan (23), a native of Moolakkadavu.

The body of the unidentified young man, aged around 40, was found in a vacant plot near the Moolathara toddy shop last Sunday. There were over 50 wounds on his body. The murder came to light after the post-mortem report revealed that internal bleeding in the head was the cause of death.

Brutal Assault

The incident took place last Saturday night. The accused attacked the youth out of anger because he slept in the front yard of prime suspect Kathiresan's house despite being warned multiple times. The assailants, who were under the influence of alcohol, repeatedly struck the youth on the face and head using wooden logs and stones. The assault continued even after he collapsed to the ground.

Police said the attackers chased the victim for about half a kilometer as he tried to escape, beating him along the way. Following an inspection of CCTV footage and scientific evidence, police arrested Karthik (26), Naveen (24), Sanjay (27), Prashanth (35), Kathiresan (23), Manikandan (25), and Suryaprakash (22)—all residents of Srambi Unnathi in Kozhinjampara.

Produced in Court

Locals stated that the deceased had been in the area for quite some time, showed signs of mental instability, and begged for alms in areas including Vannamada. The arrested accused were produced before the Chittor court and remanded in judicial custody.