Gangster Attani Aneesh arrested

Kochi: Ernakulam central police arrested notorious gangster Attani Aneesh, involved in multiple criminal cases and gang-related activities, on Saturday.

Aneesh, 43, son of Nasser, from Mattancherry, was booked by central police last month after a gang led by him assaulted a young man at a tea shop on MG Road. He was tracked and apprehended with considerable risk from a hideout in Thrissur, police said. He was remanded in judicial custody.

Police said after securing bail and being released from jail, he allegedly abducted a Bengaluru-based youth in a vehicle. He assaulted him, recorded the incident and later posted it on social media.

Central police subsequently registered a case on their own. During the probe, the absconding accused was reported, through confidential information, to have returned to his house in Mattancherry, after which police surrounded the residence and detained him.

Police also learned that he allegedly threatened many people in a similar manner, though most do not come forward with complaints. Police are examining these matters in detail and are checking his phone and other materials, sources said.

As per the directions of city police commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, a special team was formed under the supervision of deputy commissioner (L/O-2). The accused was arrested by a police unit led by Ernakulam central assistant police commissioner Premananda Krishnan and central police station SHO Jijo M J.

The investigation team also included sub-inspectors Harikrishnan, Ramlal and E M Shaji; senior civil police officers Prashanth Babu and Aneesh; and civil police officers Baby Lal, Umesh, Ajith and Arun.

Five held for robbery: Ernakulam rural police on Saturday arrested five individuals for allegedly trespassing into a house, threatening a woman and committing robbery.

Police arrested Vijayan, 68, Alan, 26, Rajan, 61, Basil George, 30, and Ashil, 25. According to police, they trespassed into a house in East Maradi area, threatened the woman by brandishing a knife and robbed the car parked in the porch.

The incident occurred around 4pm on Thursday. The alleged robbery was linked to a dispute over financial transactions with the woman’s husband, police said. The investigation team was led by Muvattupuzha police inspector Anil George.