However, Shihas recently came to know about his wife’s relationship with Ashik. Thus, he reached Edakochi to question Ashik. Following a fight, he stabbed Ashik multiple times. To save Shihas, the woman tried to mislead police by cooking up an accident incident,” an officer said.

In March this year, Ernakulam Central Police had registered a case against Ashik based on a complaint by Shihas’s wife, alleging that he had taken her 1.5 sovereign gold chain under the pretence of marrying her. She had also raised rape allegations against Ashik. However, police could not find any concrete evidence against him in the case.

Umesh Goyal, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mattancherry, confirmed that Ashik’s death was a murder. He stated that the husband of the woman had confessed to the crime.

“The arrest of the accused persons will be recorded soon. The involvement of more persons in the incident is being probed. In the coming days, we will complete the remaining procedures of evidence collection and recording witness statements. We would seek the custody of the accused after they are remanded in judicial custody,” he said.

The body of the deceased was handed over to his relatives after the post-mortem. Police are also collecting information about Ashik and his possible involvement in any criminal activities.