Murder of homeless man: Accused held in Tamil Nadu

Kollam: The accused in the murder of a lottery seller near Kollam city police commissioner’s office was arrested in Tamil Nadu, providing a breakthrough in a case that raised fear of a serial offender targeting homeless people.

Viju Suresh, a native of Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu, was arrested in Valparai by a special team led by Kollam city ACP after an extensive search across various parts of the neighbouring state. He was brought to Kollam and will be produced before a court after detailed interrogation.

The arrest is in connection with the murder of Rajendran, 65, of Mundakkal West, who was found dead on the night of May 24 while sleeping in front of a shop barely 25m from commissioner’s office. Police identified the suspect through CCTV footage collected from the area.

Police earlier suspected that the accused could be a serial offender after finding similarities between Rajendran’s murder and the killing of Raveendran, who was found dead while sleeping inside a vacant under construction building at Parippally a few months ago. However, officers said a clear picture of his involvement in Parippally case would emerge only after interrogation.

According to police, the accused allegedly targeted vulnerable people sleeping in public places and demanded money from them. Police believe robbery was the motive in Rajendran’s murder. The accused allegedly stole the victim’s bag and mobile phone before fleeing.

CCTV footage reportedly showed a man wearing a white shirt and gloves loitering near Rajendran for a prolonged period before an altercation broke out. Police suspect Rajendran was overpowered, tied with a cloth around his neck and dragged to a corridor near a workshop. Footage later captured the suspect walking towards the commissioner’s office carrying a black bag.

Rajendran’s death came just as he was preparing to move into a shelter home. According to his relatives, he had been living on the streets after losing his home years ago. A few days before his death, he expressed his desire to seek refuge at Gandhi Bhavan in Pathanapuram and even visited the institution. As he required a police report for admission, arrangements were later made through a social worker to admit him to a shelter home in Karunagappally. However, he could not be located on the scheduled day, and his murder came to light shortly afterwards.

The investigation team traced the accused after examining CCTV footage from shops, nearby houses and cameras installed near the Commissionerate flyover. Further investigation is under way.