Thrissur Rural: The accused were apprehended in Perumbavoor. One of them, a native of Assam, is receiving treatment at a Perumbavoor hospital for injuries to his hand and leg sustained while fleeing after stealing money. According to an order from Thrissur Rural District Police Chief Dr. Navneet Sharma IPS, the team, led by D.Y.S.P. Mr. K. Sumesh from Chalakudy, arrested the accused: Muhammad Sirajul Islam (26), a driver; Abdul Kalam (26), also a driver; Guljar Hussain (27); and Muhammad Muslim Haq (24). The events unfolded dramatically on Sunday night. Rajesh and Leneesh, residents of Nadapuram, were the victims of this fraud.
An operator of an earthmoving machine from Assam, working in Nadapuram, informed the residents of Nadapuram that his friend had discovered a treasure while demolishing a building. He assured them that if they came to Thrissur and paid 7 lakh rupees, they would receive gold for a substantial profit. Rajesh and Leneesh, along with the Assam native, traveled to Thrissur by car for the gold transaction. The Assam native then called three other accomplices to join them. However, they were informed that it was not safe to hand over the gold there and were directed to Chalakudy railway station.
The six individuals arrived at the station by car, agreeing to pay upfront and settle the balance after selling the gold. The Assam native demanded the payment before handing over the gold, giving them a package claiming it contained gold. Upon inspection, the Malayalis discovered the metal was fake, known locally as “Mukkupandam.” The Assam native and his friends fled along the tracks with the money, with Rajesh and Leneesh in pursuit, but they couldn’t catch them.
Rajesh subsequently filed a complaint at the police station, claiming he had paid for a car. Meanwhile, the loco pilot of the Thiruvananthapuram Super Fast Express reported seeing four people jumping into the Chalakudy River as the train passed around 1 AM. However, the fraudsters had already escaped. After an investigation, the police discovered that the group, including the injured individual, fled from Muringur in an auto rickshaw. The police tracked the auto rickshaw driver and searched bus stands, hospitals, and other locations in areas like Ankamali and Perumbavoor. They found the injured Assam native at a private hospital in Perumbavoor, where he was being treated for injuries sustained while working. The police confirmed his identity, checked CCTV footage, and identified the others. They arrested the remaining suspects after the investigation in areas such as Muvattupuzha, Pezhakapilli, Praipra, Mannur, Vattakkatupadi Perumbavoor Town, Ponjaseri, and Chembaraki as they were preparing to leave with their phones switched off.
The team, led by Chalakudy DY SP K. Chalakudy Circle Inspector MK Sajevan, Sub-Inspector Albin Thomas Varkey, and Dansaf squad members VG Stephen, Satheesan Madapatil, Roy Paulus, PM Musa, VU Siljo, AU Regi, and Binu MJ, conducted the operation. The special investigation team also included Shijo Thomas, District Intelligence Sub-Inspector OH Biju, Cyber Cell Officers Shanoos and Siljo, Chalakudy Police Station Additional SI Jofi Jose, Shahjahan Yakub, ASI GB P. Balan, and Senior Civil Police Officer CR Sureshkumar.
