Thiruvananthapuram: Two hotel employees were arrested late Tuesday night in connection with the murder of hotel owner Justin Raj, whose body was discovered earlier that day in Edappazhinji. The accused — David from Vizhinjam and Suresh, a native of Nepal — were nabbed from Adimalathura after a brief confrontation in which four police officers were injured.
The duo had been working at Kerala Cafe, located near Cotton Hill School. According to police, Justin Raj had gone to the staff’s rented house in Edappazhinji on Tuesday morning to check on them after they failed to show up for work. When he did not return, other hotel employees went searching and found his body wrapped in a sheet, indicating strangulation as the likely cause of death. His vehicle was also missing at the time.
The suspects had been absconding since the incident. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed, citing resentment over being dismissed from their jobs as the motive.
Justin Raj, known for personally opening the hotel at 5 a.m. each day, was the son-in-law of former MLA and CPM leader M Sathyanesan. His death has shocked the local community.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, with forensic examinations and background checks being conducted.