Key accused Sajith in Kanichukulangara murder case surrenders

Alappuzha, Nov 17 (UNI) Key accused in the sensational Kanichukulangara murder case and Managing Director of Himalaya group, N S Sajith, surrendered before Kerala police here this morning.

Sajith arrived at the Crime Detachment office here with his advocate S Rajeev, father Sudhakaran, brother Rejith, father-in-law Sadanandan and cousin Raju.

He was arrested by Deputy Superintendent of Police P A Johnson.

Later, he was produced before the Alappuzha judicial first class magistrate court, which remanded him in juducial custody for 14 days.

Sajith is one of the key accused in the July 20, 2005, murder of Everest group owner Ramesh, his sister Latha and driver Shamsudeen on the national highway at Kanichukulangara. Their Tata Safari was hit by lorry in a ''stage-managed accident.'' Business rivalry was said to be the motive behind the incident.

Earlier, talking to mediapersons, Sajith said he was innocent and somebody was trying to destroy the Himalaya group, which runs a chit fund. He said that he would return the money collected from the investors.

A large crowd gathered in front of the court once the people heard the news of Sajith's surrender. Sajith, who arrived in Alappuzha after visiting a temple at Vypin, Ernakulam, seemed relaxed and even smiled at the people.

Sajith had reportedly spent most of his time in hiding at pilgrim centres in North India. He often used to visit Varanasi and Delhi.

During this time, he kept in touch with his relatives, who kept him briefed about all the developments related to the case. Once he tried to fly abroad, but could not because of some technical problems.

Meanwhile, his father Sudhakaran told reporters that Sajith had decided to surrender earlier but feared a police officer in the investigation team. This official was ''inimical'' to Sajith, his father claimed.

After the incident, the Special Investigation Team led by Mr Johnson had arrested all accused persons one by one except Sajith, who went into hiding.

Sajith had recently moved the Kerala High Court for anticipatory bail but the court directed him to surrender before the investigating officer today.

Besides Sajith, police have charged his partner Bineesh and several other accused in the case including Unni, Ajith, Mrugam Saju, Shibi, Unnikrishnan, Gokulan, Dani and Ambika.

The court has started the trial of this case.

Police indicated that it will file an application in the court demanding police remand of Sajith for collection of evidence.

UNI XR ARC ROY Mir BD1900