Seven youths from Kozhinjampara have been arrested in connection with the lynching of a man near the Moolathara dam at Chittur in Palakkad district of Keralam. Police suspect that more local residents were involved in the attack.
The man’s body was found near the dam on Sunday. A post-mortem examination conducted at Government Medical College, Thrissur, revealed multiple internal injuries and bleeding, confirming that he had died following an assault.
According to the police, the youths allegedly attacked the man while under the influence of alcohol. Police said they were examining the circumstances that led to the assault and suspected that more people may have participated in the attack.
The victim, whose identity has not been established, is suspected to be from Tamil Nadu. He had reportedly been staying around the Moolathara regulator area for about a week. Local residents allegedly complained that he had been harassing women. He was also suspected of having mental health issues.
Police are investigating these reports as part of the case. Investigators are examining surveillance camera footage and gathering further evidence to identify others who may have taken part in the attack.
The incident has brought renewed attention to mob violence in Palakkad district. In 2018, Madhu, a tribal man from Attappady, was beaten to death by a mob. In December 2025, Ram Narayan Baghel, a migrant worker from Jharkhand, was lynched at Attappallam near Walayar.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over attacks on vulnerable people and the tendency of groups to take the law into their own hands.
Police said they were continuing their investigation to establish the sequence of events.
Published - October 14, 2026 11:41 am IST