Man kills friend in Kerala’s Kochi, held

A 40-year-old man was beaten to death by his friend using a frying pan at SRM Road here on Monday, police said. The deceased has been identified as Aljude Abro of Janatha Colony, Vaduthala. Police have taken Sinosh (40) of SRM Road into custody. According to police, Sinosh lived in a shed on the terrace of his house, while the ground floor was rented out. Aljude and Sinosh were friends and had consumed liquor together on Sunday night. Following a dispute, Sinosh allegedly struck Aljude on the head with a frying pan, police said. The impact was so severe that the frying pan's handle broke, officials added. In the morning, people staying on the ground floor went to the terrace and found Aljude lying dead there, police said. Police arrived at the scene soon after and took Sinosh into custody. Officials said Sinosh has confessed to the crime, and the frying pan used in the assault was recovered from the scene. Police said Sinosh had earlier been convicted and sentenced to six years' imprisonment in a murder case at Kothad. Police are also probing whether more persons were present at the time of the incident. Ernakulam North Police have begun an investigation.