Paul Muthoot George, scion of the Muthoot business group which has concerns in 21 states, was killed during a roadside brawl and he was not a victim of conspiracy as was suspected, police claimed on Monday.

IG Vinson M Paul told newsmen in Alappuzha that preliminary investigations have found that the vehicle driven by Paul on the fateful night of August 21 had accidentally struck down a two-wheeler around 12.30 am. However, a “quotation gang’’ from Changanassery which was proceeding to Alappuzha in several vehicles to fulfil a deal tailed Paul’s vehicle on finding that it had sped off after hitting the bike.

The police IG said that the criminal gang caught up with Paul’s vehicle and got into an argument with him and others. In the ensuing scuffle, one of them stabbed Paul in the neck and chest. “He suffered two fatal wounds and two less serious stabs,’’ the IG said.

He breathed his last on the way to hospital. In all, 11 people out of the 22 connected with the incident have been arrested. Though the person who stabbed Paul has been identified, he was yet to be arrested.

What has added to the mystery is the fact that the two persons who accompanied Paul on the night were hardcore criminals who have been absconding. The police said that the deceased businessman kept bad company. All leads of the murder were being probed and nothing was still ruled out.

Paul George, 32, son of  Muthoot M George, was executive director of the hospitality wing of the group which has business interests as diverse as banking & financial services, healthcare, education, real estate, foreign exchange, money transfer, insurance, infotech, precious metals, media and power. Muthoot Leisure and Hospitality, one of the 18 group companies of the Rs 20,000-crore group, has two properties located at Thekkady in Idukki district and Alappuzha and also runs 10 luxurious house boats in the backwaters of Kuttanad in Alappuzha district.