The Thrissur Rural police have arrested a 36-year-old man for allegedly attempting to murder a youth by attacking with a hammer near a gym in Thrikkur village.

The accused, Cyril of Potta, was taken into custody for attacking Deenas Davis, 37, a native of Marathakkara. Deenas suffered severe head injuries and underwent emergency surgery at a private hospital in Thrissur.

The attack took place around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday near a gym at Nellichode. The police said Cyril had reached the area nearly two hours earlier and waited outside the gym wearing a helmet. As Deenas stepped out after his workout, Cyril struck him from behind with a hammer. When the victim collapsed, he allegedly hit him twice more on the head in an attempt to kill him.

The accused fled the scene on a bicycle taken from the spot, later abandoning it in a nearby compound before escaping on his own bike.

A special investigation team led by District Police Chief Krishna Kumar launched an intensive probe, deploying around 25 officers across Marathakkara, Pudukad, Kodakara, Chalakudy, and Ollur. Surveillance and scientific investigation helped identify and track down the suspect within a day.

During interrogation, Cyril reportedly confessed that he was in a relationship with the victim’s wife and planned to eliminate Deenas to live with her. The police said he had purchased the hammer from Chalakudy and even carried petrol, allegedly intending to set the victim on fire after the attack.

The police said the crime was premeditated and driven by the accused’srelationship with the victim’s wife.