Kannur, 15 July (H.S.): A construction worker from Odisha was allegedly stabbed to death by his brother-in-law at their rented accommodation in Pooparamba under Eruvessy grama panchayat in Kannur district on Tuesday night, police said.

The deceased was identified as Philip Kimaka, a man in his early 30s and a native of Anuguruthi in Kadama village of Rayagada district in southern Odisha. The accused, Ramesh Dimbutika (27), who is married to Philip's sister, was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

According to the Kudiyanmala police, the murder took place around 9.30 pm following a quarrel between the two men, who had reportedly been involved in frequent disputes. Based on the preliminary investigation, police registered a case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested Ramesh on charges of murder.

Police were alerted around 11.35 pm after local ward member Sreenath N K received information about the incident. On reaching the rented house, he found the accused sitting outside a nearby shop, while Philip was lying in a pool of blood inside the kitchen.

Both Philip and Ramesh had been working as construction labourers in the area for nearly three years. They were sharing the rented house, while two other workers employed under the Jal Jeevan Mission were staying in an adjacent room. It was these workers who reportedly heard the commotion and informed their supervisor, who then alerted local authorities.

Another relative from Odisha had joined the two men a few days earlier but was preparing to return home after reportedly becoming distressed by their repeated quarrels. Police said he was unaware that Philip had been fatally attacked.

The body was shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Pariyaram, for post-mortem examination. Police have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the murder.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman