CPI-M Members Seek Anticipatory Bail in Councillor Abduction Case

Kochi- Five CPI-M members have filed for anticipatory bail in the abduction case of a woman councillor, Kala Raju, from the Koothattukulam municipality. Raju was allegedly abducted by fellow party members on January 18 after publicly expressing her dissatisfaction with the CPI-M and her intention to vote against the party's directives in a municipal poll.

Raju filed her statement before a magistrate on Wednesday. She alleges that she was assaulted and forcibly taken away while attempting to participate in the voting process. While four CPI-M members were initially arrested in connection with the case, both Raju and the Congress-led UDF opposition stated that these individuals were not the actual perpetrators. Following public outcry and pressure during the ongoing Assembly session, police apprehended additional individuals, including the five who have now sought anticipatory bail.

All five accused CPI-M members deny the allegations, claiming the case is politically motivated and an attempt to damage their reputations. Their anticipatory bail plea asserts that Raju is being influenced by UDF workers and that the complaint, filed by her children, is a means to defame CPI-M workers. The petition states, "The mother of the de facto complainant is influenced by the UDF party workers and counsellors. The instant crime is registered in pursuant to a planned attempt to defame and corner the CPI-M party workers."

The alleged abduction of Kala Raju, a woman councillor of the Koothattukulam municipality, has highlighted political tensions within the 25-member council. The ruling CPI-M-led LDF holds a majority with 13 seats, facing opposition from 11 UDF members and one independent member. The UDF had planned to move a no-confidence motion against the council's chairperson, Vijaya Sivan (CPI-M), on January 18. However, the massive uprising surrounding Raju's abduction overshadowed the planned no-confidence motion. A criminal complaint was filed by Raju's children, accusing 50 individuals from the CPI-M of involvement in the alleged crime.