Murdered over vada: Customer stabs hotelier to death in Kochi

Johnson, 48, who runs the Sibin Hotel in Vyttila, was stabbed in the neck Tamil Nadu native Ratheesh stabbed Johnson following an altercation over a vada Ratheesh managed to flee from the spot after the incident It is understood that Ratheesh was in an inebriated state

In a shocking incident, a restaurant owner in Kochi was stabbed to death by an angry customer in broad daylight on Wednesday. 

Johnson, 48, who runs the Sibin Hotel at Elamkulam near Vyttila, was stabbed in the neck by Tamil Nadu native Ratheesh, following an altercation over a vada served to him. Though locals rushed Johnson to a hospital nearby, he could not be saved.

It is understood that Ratheesh was in an inebriated state when he entered the restaurant. The incident took place around 2.30 pm on Wednesday.

Ratheesh, who has been living in Kochi for some time, managed to flee from the spot after the incident. The Maradu police has launched a search for him.