Indian man from Saudi admits murder of friend

A Saudi resident who was arrested yesterday by Indian police for allegedly murdering his friend around five years ago has said ‘he has never been able to get over the guilt’. Indian Dileep was taken into custody by the Crime Branch when he landed at the Cochin International Airport, in Kerala on Tuesday morning. Police had recently recovered the remains of Saji John (39) from a septic tank near a workshop run by Dileep before he left to Saudi Arabia after committing the crime. It was then that police confirmed the death of Saji who until then was thought to be missing. It seems the two men had a fight over money matters that eventually led to Saji’s death. Both men hail from the south Indian state Kerala’s Mannuthy, Thrissur. During interrogation, Dileep admitted that he had gone to Saudi to escape from being caught for the murder. However he has never had peace since reaching there due to sleepless nights overcome by guilt. “It’s been five years since I have slept properly. I was working like a robot in Saudi Arabia. I was not able to enjoy my work or life. Guilt and the fear of returning home troubled me,” said Dileep in his statement to the police. Dileep explained that following an argument with Saji over money, he hit him on the head with a big knife. Saji was motionless and Dileep used this opportunity to tie him up is a large sack and bury him in the septic tank. Saji apparently was still alive at this time. According to police, Saji had gone out to buy food for his children on August 29, 2010 and never returned. Local police had closed the case then due to lack of evidence. However the Crime Branch reopened the case two years later following a request by Saji’s family. Saji was a moneylender and he had frequent disagreements with Dileep over the money he had lent him. Soon after Saji disappeared, Dileep left to Saudi and refused to return for questioning despite several requests by the Crime Branch. Sources claim that undue interference by a leading political party would hinder attempts of the police in bringing him to India. Dileep had eventually taken his wife to Saudi but she had recently returned. After Saji’s remains were found, police pointed out that if Dileep did not surrender himself, his family in India would have to be taken into custody for trying to protect a suspect. Police was also able to convince the family that if he did not return to India, there was provision to have him jailed in Saudi prison. It is then that he agreed to give himself up. Police are now investigating if more people were involved in the crime. Saji leaves behind his wife and three daughters.