The police on February 23 (Friday) took into custody a Koyilandy native suspected of murdering Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader P.V. Sathyanathan, 62, during a temple festival at Peruvattur in Kozhikode district of Kerala on Thursday night.
The suspect, identified as Abhilash of Peruvattur village, is reportedly a former branch member of the CPI(M). He reportedly hacked Sathyanathan to death following some personal grudge.
Police sources said it was a planned attack as the assailant reached the spot with an axe. He attacked the CPI(M) leader during a music event held as part of the annual festival at Sree Cheriyappuram Paradevatha temple.
