Soldier, friend arrested in Kerala for filing false complaint about PFI
Thiruvananthapuram: The complaint of a soldier that the name of the banned organisation PFI was inscribed on his body after being assaulted in Kadakkal in the Kollam district of Keala the other day, is fake.
The police have taken the soldier Shine Kumar and his friend Joshi into custody in connection with the incident. The paint and brush used for writing PFI on the body have also been recovered.
Police said they are seeking more details from the arrested persons. The statement given by the soldier's friend Joshi proved crucial in the case.
He told the police that the soldier carried out the act and cooked up the story of assault to get instant fame. Based on the statement, the police searched and recovered the paint and the brush.
Joshi told the police that he had bought the paint and brush from Cheriyankeezhu. He was asked to tear the T-shirt using a blade. Shine also asked Joshi to assault him, but he declined.
Shine Kumar, a native of Kadakkal who is posted in Rajasthan, had complained to the police alleging that a group of people had assaulted him and inscribed the name of the banned organisation PFI on his body. The police had registered a case against six unidentified persons in connection with the incident.
The incident sent shock waves with people linked with Hindutva organisations launching a campaign on social media against the Kerala government and police. Several posts on social media criticised the police saying that the PFI is having a free run in the state despite a ban.
The actual details of the case came to light soon after the army decided to launch a separate probe into the incident. Shine Kumar will be questioned by senior police officers and further action will be taken after recording his statement.
In the previous fake complaint that triggered huge concern, Shine stated that he went to his friend's house after attending the Onam celebrations. On the way back he was intercepted by two persons who told him that his friend was lying in an inebriated state nearby.
When Shine went to the spot, he was kicked by two people. Later a six-member gang attacked him and tied his hands and mouth using tape.
“The name of the PFI was written on the back with green paint. The six-member gang fled after the attack," the complaint said.
Shine had said that it was not clear why he was attacked or who attacked him. The shocking information came to light during an investigation conducted by the police.
Soon after the soldier’s complaint, the intelligence agencies and state police swung into action to probe the matter.
Meanwhile, police have slapped sections about attempts to create communal tension, incitement and fake statements.
