Cops link Congress leader Antony Asanparambil with goondas

Kochi: Police informed the Kerala High Court that Antony Asanparambil, Congress leader and Maradu municipal vice-chairman has close nexus with goons in the city. Opposing the petition filed by Mr Antony seeking anticipatory bail in the case, the police submitted that the arrest of the accused is very much necessary in the case. Arrest of the remaining accused in the case is essential for the investigation in the case to continue. The first accused had direct relations with the goons in the city.

He is holding the post as a councillor of Maradu municipality. It is also revealed that there is every possibility of him trying to influence the witnesses in the case and tamper with the evidence if the anticipatory bail is granted. During the investigation it was revealed that all the accused in the cases were already indulging in criminal activities. During the course of investigation, the specific role of the petitioner was revealed in both incidents and he was the kingpin who had arranged other accused to conspire together with them to abduct, assault, and illegally confine the complainant. Six others, including councillor Jinson Peter, are also facing charges of kidnapping and abduction of one P.A. Shukkoor, an INTUC leader from Nettoor.  

It was alleged that Antony and his team abducted Shukkoor and detained him at a secret location and inflicted injuries. Though the goons in the case surrendered, Antony and Jinson Peter are still absconding. Police claim that the duo might have left Kerala and a probe team is on the lookout for them. The other accused were identified as Bharathan, Shiju, Ramshad, Salam alias Konj Salam and Abhi alias Auto Abhi. Congress leaders allegedly engaged a quotation gang to threaten the victim and force him to backout from a land reclamation deal for which they were also contenders.   According to police the accused in custody are identified as members of a criminal gang led by Bhai Nazir.