Murder case accused dies in police custody in Palakkad

A 37-year-old man, arrested in connection with the murder of a middle-aged woman, died in the police custody today.

Police said the deceased, Sampath, was the main suspect in the murder of Sheela Jayakrishnan (47), wife of a businessman, at her house by a gang of burglars on March 23.

He was taken into custody along with two others from Coimbatore yesterday. Sampath complained of exhaustion while being brought here and died before reaching the hospital, they said.
    
Sampath was an employee at a mobile handset shop run by Sheela. He had left his job and disappeared from the town a few months ago.

He was suspected to have plotted the burglary in the victim's house hiring two professional house-breakers from Coimbatore area.

Sheela was hacked to death and her 77-year-old mother injured as they tried to resist the thieves who broke into their house during day time.

The thieves escaped the scene taking away cash and jewellery, which were recovered from the suspect by police.