Palakkad: The Kozhinjampara police on Thursday arrested a close friend of the mother in the case of two children found drowned in water on September 29 — a second arrest in a case that has so far rested on the mother's own account.
The arrested man is A Martin Ignatius, 36, a native of Parakkuzhi near Menonpara. Police allege he played a direct role in the killings and assisted the children's mother, who is the prime accused in the case.
Officers said they obtained leads about him while collecting evidence with the mother earlier this week. He was taken into custody on Wednesday and his arrest was recorded after detailed questioning. Further questioning of both accused, police said, helped establish his alleged involvement.
Investigators are examining whether the relationship between the two was a motive. The two reportedly lived in rented accommodation close to each other, and police are probing the nature of the relationship and the assistance he allegedly gave. His role came to light after they examined the mother's phone records, a senior officer said.
During the initial investigation, the mother reportedly told police she wanted to pursue her studies and a modelling career and considered the children an obstruction. Investigators have said they are examining whether there were other motives.
The children were five and three years old.
The case now has two accused, a forensic record still being built, and no charge sheet. What police have described so far is a sequence assembled from statements and phone data, not from a court finding.
Ignatius has been remanded, and the investigation continues.