Kerala police confirm Shahabas’ murder was pre-planned
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Kozhikode: The murder of a Class 10 student Muhammed Shahabas in Thamarassery was meticulously planned, police confirmed on Monday.
"Conversations from the students' WhatsApp group indicate that the attack was premeditated," a senior police officer stated. He also noted that the psychological condition of the accused students after the crime needs to be assessed.
Search operations were carried out at the homes of the accused to recover the weapon used in the attack. Authorities are also examining their mobile phones, WhatsApp groups, and Instagram accounts. Police are further investigating whether any adults were involved in orchestrating the attack.
The probe gained momentum amid reports linking the father of the main accused student to quotation gangs and smuggling networks.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father, Iqbal, voiced his distress over the authorities allowing the accused students to take their SSLC exams.
"They should have been barred from writing the exams this year and allowed next year instead. Permitting them now sends a message that no matter what crime they commit, there will be no real consequences," he said.
Initially, arrangements were made for the accused to take their exams at a school in Thamarassery. However, following protests from KSU, Youth Congress, and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) activists, the exams were shifted to the juvenile home in Vellimadukunnu.
The victim, 16-year-old Muhammed Shahabas, had suffered severe head injuries in a violent clash near a private tuition centre in Thamarassery. He was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital but succumbed to his injuries around 1 am on Saturday.
Five students were taken into custody in connection with the incident, and murder charges were invoked against them. They were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
With PTI inputs