Kochi: An altercation over less salt used in snacks led to the murder of a hotel owner in broad daylight in Vytilla on Wednesday
The victim was identified as Johnson alias Albin (48), who was running Hotel ‘Sibin’ at Janatha Junction near Vytilla.
The cops, who are searching for an Idukki native who fled after the attack, said the incident happened at 3.30 pm when Johnson was returning to his hotel after buying some materials.
“The accused is suspected to be one Rateesh, hailing from Idukki border and currently staying in a rented building in Vytilla. He bought snacks from the hotel in the morning but returned by noon to complain about less salt used in its preparation. A verbal duel broke out between them and the accused left in a fit of rage,” they said.
At 3.30 pm, hotel owner Johnson again came across the accused while he was returning in his two-wheeler after buying bananas from a nearby shop.
“The two again indulged in a war of words at one side of the Sahodaran Ayyappan road. Suddenly the accused took out a small knife and attacked the hotel owner who suffered an injury in his neck. He fled towards the Vytilla side,” they said.
Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital and then rushed to the Medical Trust Hospital. However, he soon succumbed to his injury.
Maradu police have lodged an FIR under sections 341(wrongful restraint), 324 (causing hurt) and 302 (punishment for murder) of the IPC. “The accused is suspected to have committed the attack in an inebriated state. He is a daily wage earner, and a hunt is on to nab him,” said a senior police officer.
