Idukki (Keralam) | A man was allegedly murdered and his relative has been taken into custody at Pullupara in this high-range district, police said on Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Binu of Pullupara.

His relative Thankachan has been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

According to Peruvanthanam police, the Fire and Rescue Services department received a call on Saturday night about a person suffering serious injuries at a house in Pullupara.

When fire force personnel reached the house, they found Binu dead.

However, on examining the body, they noticed multiple injuries, prompting them to alert the police.

Police reached the spot and conducted an investigation, which revealed that Binu and Thankachan had consumed liquor together.

According to police, a shop owner contacted the Fire and Rescue Services personnel following instructions from Thankachan.

Police later took Thankachan into custody and are questioning him.

The preliminary probe points to a murder, police said.

However, further steps will be taken after questioning Thankachan, who is still in an inebriated condition.

Thankachan allegedly has a criminal history, and a fight had taken place between him and Binu after they consumed liquor, police said.

Police have decided to shift the body to Kottayam Medical College for postmortem.

Body wil be handed over to relatives after postmortem, police added.