A probe into the case of a missing caterer has unveiled a pre-meditated murder in Idukki. The police filed a case after Biju Joseph, a native of Chungam, Thodupuzha, was reported missing on March 20. Biju’s wife had filed a missing person report with Thodupuzha police. His body was found dumped in a manhole at a godown in Thodupuzha on Saturday. Police have retrieved the body from the manhole.

Based on CCTV footage from Thodupuzha, the police have detained three men in connection with the incident. Thodupuzha native Jomon, who was Biju’s business partner, is among the three accused. The other two are members of a quotation gang from Ernakulam, a police official told Onmanorama.

Police launched a search based on information from the accused, who claimed Biju was murdered and his body hidden in a godown. They admitted to killing Biju and burying his body in a godown in Kalyanthani. The godown, owned by Jomon, was used for storage in their catering business. The business had shut down due to financial issues.

Idukki SP Vishnu Pratheep said that Biju Joseph, who left his house on March 20 in his two-wheeler, was kidnapped by a quotation gang. His hands and legs were tied up, and he was brutally assaulted inside the car. Jomon reportedly told police that when Biju Joseph was motionless, his body was taken to the godown and dumped in the manhole.

Biju and Jomon had a strained relationship over business of late. Jomon had twice entrusted the quotation gang to murder Biju Joseph, but the plan had failed earlier. Initial probe indicated that Biju Joseph was assaulted without weapons, but police said this needed to be verified through further questioning of the suspects. The actual cause of death will be ascertained by autopsy, police said.