The Ernakulam Rural police made one more arrest in connection with the incident in which a car was allegedly driven over the feet of a sub-inspector before speeding away, reportedly to avoid a police vehicle checking team at Kadalikkad near Muvattupuzha on June 14.

The arrested is Asif, 24, of Thodupuzha. He was the second accused in the case and had been on the run since then. According to the police, he was in the front passenger seat.

The prime accused, Muhammad Shareef, originally from Vazhathope in Idukki, but currently living in a rented house at Anikkad near Muvattupuzha had surrendered before the Muvattupuzha Judicial First Class Magistrate Court I on June 18. He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

According to the police, Shareef was an accused in multiple cases, including NDPS cases registered by both the police and the Excise department. The police suspect that he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.

The Rural police had also arrested two persons — Shahid, 27, and Rafsal, 24, of Erattupetta — on charge of abetting the accused in fleeing. They allegedly picked up the accused in a car after he called them.

The injured officer, E.M. Muhammed, a sub-inspector attached to the Kalloorkkadu police station, underwent surgery for a fractured foot. The incident occurred when the police team signalled the car to stop, and the driver, reportedly attempting to evade the check, accelerated and drove over the officer’s feet, causing him to collapse.

The police had registered a case for attempted murder and for obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty.