Arjun reaches Kerala, crime branch not to take him into custody now

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The crime branch asserted that Arjun, who is under suspicion in connection with the death of violinist Balabhaskar, has reached Kerala. Arjun, who was a driver of the violinist, was in Assam. His relatives had informed the crime branch that he has reached Kerala. The crime branch has decided to question him after getting the result of the forensic examination.

He is under suspicion after he retracted statements thrice in the case. He first told police that the car in which the violinist and his family were travelling, was driven by him.

The accident happened when the family was returning after visiting a temple in Thrissur. The child died on the spot and Balabhaskar died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. Arjun retracted his statement soon after the violinist died. His second statement was that the car was driven by the violinist. Later when the case was taken over by crime branch he told the investigating team led by DySP Hari Krishnan that he doesn’t remember who drove the car.

Some had informed Balabhaskar’s family that at the time of the accident, a person was seen wiping blood stains from the front seat of the vehicle. Following that, hair, blood and finger prints were collected and sent for forensic examination. The samples of Arjun were also collected. The crime branch is waiting for the forensic results as there were contradictory statements on the death. Balabhaskar’s wife Lakshmi told police that the car was driven by Arjun. Driver Aji of KSRTC who was there at the time of the accident said that the car was driven by Balabhaskar.

If the forensic examination says that the car was driven by Arjun then he will have to give a reply for retracting his statements thrice.

Arjun was an accused for two ATM burglaries that had taken place in Palakkad and Thrissur districts three years back. He attempted the burglary while studying for engineering. He cheated many in the name of possessing nagamanikyam. Arjun is the cousin of the wife of Balabhaskar’s friend, a doctor in Palakkad. The accidental death started brewing after Balabhaskar’s friends were nabbed in gold smuggling.