Murder of Harihara Varma: Main accused Jithesh native of Thalassery

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police Saturday arrested five persons in connection with the murder of Harihara Varma, a member of the Mavelikkara royal family. ADGP Hemachandran said Jithesh, a native of Thalassery is the main accused in the case.

Hemachandran said the other accused have been identified as Ajeesh of Kuttiyadi, Rakhil (relative of Jithesh), Rakesh of Chalakudy in Thrissur and Joseph of Coorg in Karnataka.

Varma was found murdered at his rented house in Vattiyoorkavu on December 24. The murder was committed in the house owned by the daughter of advocate Haridas, an aide of Varma.

The murder was planned at a rented house in Ernakulam.

Joseph was introduced to Varma as the son of a minister in Karnataka. On the day of the incident, the accused gave Varma soft drinks laced with some drugs and then made him to smell chloroform.  

Police said the precious stones which Varma tried to sell were not real one