Kodanad case: One more arrested in Kerala

Ooty: In yet another dramatic turn, police have arrested one more accused in the sensational Kodanad estate break-in-cum-security-guard-murder case, while cops are zeroing in on two more suspects in Kerala in connection with this intriguing crime in the Ooty hills.

The turn of events have been so dramatic, amid whispers in the air here on Monday about a cop on check-post duty at Gudalur in the early hours of April 24, having been reportedly lenient towards the gang who stormed into the estate and even allegedly helped the accused cross the inter-state border.

Even a cop heading towards nearby village along Kerala border on personal work, is said to have travelled with the accused.

The cops on Monday arrested one C.Manoj (41) of Parappugara village in Trissur district in Kerala.  Manoj is also said to have worked along with Sayan, the second accused in the case, as carpentry assistant in Kodanad estate bungalow in the past and he used to conduct 'pujas' whenever carpentry works begin afresh in the bungalow, sources said.

As seven persons, all hailing from Kerala, have been arrested so far, the cops are said to have zeroed in on two more accused, who are at large in this case, in Trissur district itself in Kerala.  Top police officials in the hills told DC that the investigation would continue to establish all links related to this case to come to a conclusion.

Though the higher police officials are tight-lipped on details, other sources in the police department say that though on that day they had given a red alert about the Kodanad break-in and asked the cops at check-post to intercept and thoroughly check the vehicles trying to cross Nilgiris-Kerala border, the cops at Gudalur failed to budge and allowed two vehicles used for the crime to pass.
"There are also stories doing the round that the cops on check-post duty, let their palms be greased to allow the two vehicles to enter Kerala.

What is more stunning is that one cop who was in the check-post and was waiting for a bus to go to a nearby place in Kerala asked for a lift in the vehicles used by the accused.  Since the accused were ready to give a lift to the cop, the cop is said to have travelled with them till some point in Kerala," sources said.

Sources further added that that since the prestige of the police department is at stake over this issue, the cops decided to downplay it.  But, very soon an enquiry may be conducted on this as allowing the vehicles to cross the hill border has not only complicated the investigation, but has turned out to be an issue now.