Three arrested over 18-year-old’s death during football scuffle

Thiruvananthapuram: Naruvamoodu police arrested three persons in connection with the death of an 18-year-old youth who sustained fatal injuries during a clash at Pallichal on Saturday night. Investigators said the attack stemmed from a long-standing feud that originated during a football match held around one-and-a-half years ago. The deceased, Sivasurya was a native of Ayanimoodu in Pallichal.

The arrested persons are Pallichal natives Karthikeyan, 21, Ajith, 20, and Aromal, 21. Police said two more persons are under investigation. One of them has already been identified, while efforts are on to determine the involvement of the other.

According to police, Sivasurya had gone to play football at a turf ground in Bhagavathinada, Pallichal, around 8 pm on Saturday. During the game, he reportedly got into an argument with the accused over their previous rivalry.

Later at night, they got into a physical fight on roadside. Police said that during the attack, Sivasurya fell against the glass door of a roadside clothing shop, and the shattered glass pierced his body, causing severe injuries and heavy bleeding. The incident occurred in front of Punnamoodu Social Welfare Cooperative Society.

Despite his critical condition, Sivasurya was taken to hospital on a motorcycle by two of the accused, Ajith and Karthikeyan. Hospital authorities alerted the police after noticing the suspicious nature of the injuries. The two were taken into custody from the hospital, while further investigation led to the arrest of the third accused.

Sivasurya later succumbed to his injuries. The arrested persons will be produced before a court. The accused were charged under the provision of Section 103(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (murder).

Following the postmortem examination at Thiruvananthapuram Govt Medical College Hospital, the body was handed over to relatives. The funeral was later held at Sivasurya’s family property in Kattakada.