Gang rivalry in Kollam: Eight arrested in ‘Aluva’ Athul murder case

Kollam police arrested eight people in connection with the brutal daylight murder of notorious criminal Athul (known as Aluva Athul) at Puthiyakavu in Karunagapally in the district on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

According to authorities, six of the suspects were caught within 12 hours of the crime, while the other two were detained on charges of conspiracy, providing transportation and abetting the attackers. Police have identified four of the key accused as Noufal, Faisal, Shinil Peter and Shamnad, while the identities of the remaining suspects are currently being processed.

Investigation revealed that the murder was an act of retaliation aimed at revenge for the death of a local gym owner named Santhosh, also known as Gym Santhosh. Athul was the prime accused in the murder of Santosh, who was hacked to death at his home in March 2025. Following Santosh’s murder, a cycle of gang-related violence began to emerge in the area, ultimately leading to a deadly ambush this weekend.

On the day of the incident, Athul was traveling along the Karunagapally-Alappuzha National Highway after visiting a police station to fulfill mandatory bail conditions. The attackers, traveling in an Innova car, deliberately rammed Athul’s car, forcing it off the road towards a construction site. After the vehicle was immobilized, the gang, armed with machetes and iron bars, broke the car’s windows and launched a violent attack. While Athul was repeatedly hacked while trying to get out of the vehicle, his friend Manu, who was also in the vehicle, was seriously injured during the struggle.