CPI(M) district secretariat member arrested in Kozhikode bank election violence case

A special investigation team (SIT) arrested M. Gireesh, a district secretariat member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), on Wednesday in connection with violence that broke out during a bank election at Chevayur in Kozhikode in November 2024.

The case stems from a clash on November 16, 2024, in which a Mukkom native sustained serious injuries. CPI(M) branch member C.P. Jaleel was also arrested earlier in the same case. Police said the accused have been booked under non-bailable provisions, including attempt to murder and assault involving weapons.

The clash reportedly involved Congress worker Sirajudheen, who was seriously injured. Congress leaders subsequently lodged a complaint with the police, which led to the investigation. The case is being probed by the SIT constituted by the Home department, with Crime Branch Superintendent of Police K. Vikraman as its team leader.

CPI(M) district secretary M. Mehboob said the case had earlier been put on hold after an investigation found some of the allegations to be factually incorrect. He rejected as untrue the claim that Kozhikode MP M.K. Raghavan was attacked during the bank election. Describing the arrest of Mr. Gireesh under non-bailable provisions as hasty and politically motivated, he said the party would pursue the matter legally.

Kozhikode District Congress Committee president and Koyilandy MLA K. Praveenkumar welcomed the arrest.