A 23-year-old man was stabbed to death following a dispute over a drug deal at Manikunnam, near Kottayam, in the early hours of Monday. The deceased was identified as Adarsh, a native of Manganam, near Puthuppally. Abhijith, 24, a native of Kottayam, was taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident.
Abhijith is the son of Congress leader and former Kottayam municipal councillor V K Anilkumar (Titto). The incident took place in front of Anilkumar’s house at 4.30 a.m.
According to the police, the violence stemmed from a drug-related transaction between Abhijith, who has a history of criminal cases including drug trafficking, and the deceased Adarsh. Adarsh had reportedly borrowed MDMA worth ₹1,500 from Abhijith in March. Abhijith’s scooter was pledged for ₹10,000 through a friend. A heated argument over these matters had occurred between Abhijith and Adarsh via phone the previous night.
Following this, Adarsh, accompanied by his friend Robin, reached Anilkumar’s house by Sunday midnight. An argument ensued in front of the house, during which Robin and Adarsh allegedly attacked Abhijith. Soon, Anilkumar and his wife intervened, attempting to separate their son and the others. During the struggle, Abhijith allegedly stabbed Adarsh with a knife he was carrying. Adarsh succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Though Robin took Adarsh to the Government Medical College Hospital at Gandhinagar, authorities declared him dead.
Subsequently, the police team that reached the spot took Anilkumar and his son into custody. Later, Anilkumar was released as the police found he was trying to de-escalate the situation. Anilkumar had served two terms as a member of the Kottayam municipality and previously chaired its committee on developmental affairs.
Published – November 24, 2025 07:19 pm IST
