Kochi: A DNA test has confirmed the identity of Irshad who was abducted by gold smugglers in Panthirikkara in Kozhikode district in Kerala for retrieving the gold Irshad was supposed to carry for them.
The body of Kozhikunnummel Irshad was found in Kadaloor river on July 17, but the police was not able to confirm the identity, media reports said.
At first police suspected the body was that of Deepak of Vadakkekandi in Meppayur.
As the body was getting ready for cremation, some people claimed that it was the body of Irshad which led to carrying out a DNA test on the Irshad’s parents.
On interrogation, the three of who are in police custody, told the cops that Irshad jumped into the river on the night of July 16 from Purakkattiri bridge, Rural SP Karappasammy told reporters.
More suspects are under police surveillance. The vehicle used by them has been impounded.
Irshad reached Kerala from the Gulf country on May 13 and went to Wayanad on May 17 after which he was not seen.
Meanwhile, the abductors informed his parents on phone that Irshad was in their captivity and until the gold was returned to them Irshad would not return home.
Following this, Irshad’s parents lodged a police complaint. According to Irshad’s family he had told them that the gold that he had brought with him was handed over to those who had assigned him for the job.
Gold smuggling cases in Kerala are reported frequently and Kozhikode and Kochi airports are among the five from where maximum gold was seized in India during 2019-20.
