Kochi : A young man who was allegedly attacked with a hammer near SRM Road in Ernakulam continues to remain in critical condition, police said.
The accused, Krishnan, 51, of Ponekkara, followed him and allegedly struck him on the back of the head with a hammer, according to the police.
Police said the accused, who has criminal antecedents and was involved in several cases, fled towards Guruvayur after the incident. He continued hitting the victim several times after he fell unconscious. The hammer allegedly used in the attack was recovered from him. After examining CCTV footage from bus stations and railway stations, the team traced the accused to Guruvayur with the assistance of the local police. He was reportedly hiding at the Guruvayur temple premises and planning to travel to North India. He was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody.
The incident occurred around 1am on Sunday, when the victim was returning home after attending a relative’s wedding. Krishnan was arrested by a police team led by Ernakulam central assistant commissioner Siby Tom on Monday.
Police said the attack was allegedly motivated by personal enmity. The victim was rushed to a hospital by his relatives.
Investigators suspect that the accused had also tried to harm the victim on earlier occasions while he was returning home after work.