Malappuram: Gas agency owner hacked to death, wife seriously injured

Officers said Kuttikattil Vinod, 52, was found dead with multiple cut injuries inside his house early Friday morning.

Neighbours rushed to the spot after hearing the cries of his wife Jyothi, 50, and found her lying in a pool of blood. Vinod was dead by the time people found him.

Though police suspected a case of murder for gain initially, they soon changed their stand and said there was involvement of an insider.

Money and the car were taken away to mislead the police and to establish that the murder was carried out for looting the valuables.

Police found the cut wound on the neck of Jyothi was made using a pen knife and it was suspected to be self-inflicted.

On the other hand, Vinod had several deep cuts on his body and a longer knife was used to hack him. There were signs of scuffle inside the room where Vinod’s body was found.

Police said there was no forced entry to the house and that the murderer could enter the room after someone opened it from inside.

Police could not yet record the statement of Jyothi, as she has undergone a surgery and still said to be in a critical condition. Police later found out that the car has passed a toll booth near Thrissur around Friday noon.

“We have certain leads, and we are following it. A team has been sent to pick up the suspect,” Tirur DySP Assainar told Deccan Chronicle. Police is also verifying the call records of both Jyothi and Vinod to get a clearer picture.

Vinod is a native of Edappally in Kochi and has been staying at Valanchery for carrying out his business. He owned an Indane gas agency in Valanchery. The couple has a son employed in Bangalore, police said.