PANAMARAM: An accused has been arrested for mixing soap powder in a well that draws water to a popular hotel in Venniyodu town.
The Kambalakkad police arrested Karinjakunnu Banampravan Mammootty (58) who was running another hotel near Janakiya Hotel.
When pumped on Wednesday morning, the water was stagnant and smelled of soap powder.
Following the complaint of Kudumbasree members, Kambalakkad police, Kottathara gram panchayat officials and health workers visited the spot. Health officials concluded that the soap powder was mixed with well water. Mammootty pleaded guilty during a police interrogation.
He told police he had mixed soap powder in the well. Then the evidence was taken with butter. Mammootty, who has been running a hotel in Venniyode town for years, saw a decline in sales after he started a popular hotel.
He told police that this was what caused the soap powder to mix in the well.
The police said that if the water sample was sent for testing and it was found to be contaminated with pesticides, they would file a case against him for attempted murder.
The Vanitha Mess, which started functioning in Venniyodu town in 2013, was converted into a popular hotel by Jyothi Kudumbasree last May.