CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan surrenders before court in Kannur

THALASSERY, KERALA: CPI(M) Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan, who is listed as an accused in a case relating to the murder of a BJP functionary in 2014, today surrendered before the sessions court here.

Jayarajan arrived at the court in an ambulance and surrendered before at 11 AM. He has been remanded in judicial custody for a month.

His counsel drew the attention of the court to his health condition and wanted him to be shifted to a hospital, which was turned down by the court saying for the time being he should be taken to Kannur Jail and the jail superintendent can take an appropriate decision later.

The Marxist strongman's anticipatory bail plea had been rejected by the Kerala High Court yesterday after observing that there was prima facie material to charge him under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Earlier, the Thalassery district and sessions court had also rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

He is the 25th accused in the case relating to the murder of RSS functionary Manoj.

Manoj was hacked to death in politically volatile Kathiroor in Kannur district on September 1, 2014, allegedly by a group of CPI(M) workers. CBI is investigating the case.

Earlier, talking to reporters, Jayarajan alleged that the RSS leadership had met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala to list him as an accused in the case.

He said the case was "politically motivated and the CBI was implementing the RSS agenda." CPI(M) will face the case legally and politically, he said.