Thiruvananthapuram: SFI leader’s intention to kill, CM for strict action

Thiruvananthapuram: SFI leaders Sivarenjith and A.N. Nazeem, who were arrested in the wee hours of Monday in connection with the murder attempt on fellow student Akhil Chandran on Friday, were produced in court and remanded in judicial custody till July 29 even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said stringent action was being initiated against the culprits.

Sivarenjith, former SFI unit president of University College, sought hospitalisation for treatment of the injury sustained during the incident and an opportunity to speak to his lawyer. But the court turned down both the requests.

The chief minister, reacting to the incident for the first time, said it should never have happened on a college campus. “There will be no lapses in the investigations. As far as government is concerned, strong action will be taken against the culprits. By now it is evident what kind of action is being taken,” he added.

According to the police remand report, the accused stabbed Akhil with the intention to kill him. The reason for the personal enmity which led to the incident was the victim's defiance of the unit committee. SFI unit secretary Nazeem held Akhil while Sivarenjith stabbed him. This was also corroborated by Akhil in his statement given to the doctor.

The police report opposed bail  to the accused as it could affect the investigations.

The evidence and statements corroborating the allegations have been gathered by police. One major evidence is the injury sustained by Sivarenjith to his hand while stabbing Akhil. According to police, Adil and Aromal, the other accused,  have  also given statements that they had seen blood on the hands of Sivarenjith and Nazeem after the clash.

The duo was arrested from Kesavadasapuram after night-long raids carried out by the police on SFI strongholds, including Students Centre and University College hostel. The cops intensified the raids following widespread criticism that the CPM was trying to shield the accused.

The accused were arrested while they were trying to move to a safe hideout at Kallada following the polcie raids carried out in the city.

Four accused were arrested earlier. While Ijab was taken into custody from his residence near Nemom on Saturday, Adil, Aromal and Advaith were arrested from the central railway station. They were arrested under sections 147, 148, 149, 224 (b), 223, 241 , 506 and 307 of IPC.

During the raids conducted on the house of Sivarenjith, the relatives of the accused tried to attack mediapersons. A couple of reporters were chased out of the house and some of the relatives brandished iron rods at the journalists.

Meanwhile, the room which was being used by SFI as unit committee office would be converted into a class room, said additional director of collegiate education K.K. Suma. The decision comes in the wake of reports that it was being used for intimidating, torturing and assaulting students.