Kadakkal: Kollam rural police have arrested three people including the husband of a 40-year-old woman who was murdered on Sunday night.

The arrested include Shaji, 45, who is the husband of the victim Ramla Beevi, and his two friends.

Shaji, who had been separated from Ramla Beevi for years, had attacked her with the help of his friends, according to the police. Ramla had earlier approached the court against Shaji regarding a property dispute. Ramla and children were living in a house at Ganapathinada following a court order in this case, said the police.

Ramla was stabbed and her head hit the wall amid a scuffle with a gang in which even chilly powder was thrown on her.

The neighbours who came running hearing the screams of the children had taken Ramla to the hospital, but by that time she had died.

Following this, Shaji was taken into police custody.

The police had conducted search operations in Thiruvananthapuram district also, tracking the number of the motor bike that the gang had used. The number was revealed from CCTV footage.

Shaji had later revealed the names of his friends who were part of the group that assaulted Ramla. Both his friends, who belong to Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, were taken into custody following Shaji’s revelations.

The three arrested are being cross examined.

The inquiry is being conducted by the police team led by Rural SP K.G. Simon, DySP Satheesh Kumar and CI V S Pradeep Kumar.

Shaji is a resident of Rafi Manzil, Chappath, Ganapathinada, Pangalukad in Kollam district.

Ramla's mortal remains were laid to rest after post mortem at Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.

The couple's children are Muhammed Rafi and Muhammed Rifan.