KOCHI: The Palarivattom Police on Thursday registered case against CPM Kalamassery area secretary V A Zakeer Hussain, who is also the president of the District Sports Council, for allegedly threatening a city-based businessman. The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Vennala-native Jube Paulose, a day after the City Police constituted a City Task Force to curb goonda activities.
Karukappilly Siddique, a former DYFI activist who is currently serving jail sentence for extorting money from a businesswoman, has also been arraigned as an accused in the case. The case assumes significance in the wake of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announcing the formation of a special squad for anti-goonda operations. The City Task Force was set up on Wednesday, under the direct supervision of Kochi Range IG S Sreejith.
The complaint filed by Jube Paulose before the Chief Minister was later forwarded to the Palarivattom Police. Jube in his complaint alleged that Zakeer Hussain threatened him and persuaded to terminate his business association with Kakkanad-native Sheela Thomas, who according to Zakeer is very close to the CPM leadership. The CPM leader also insisted on a payment of `10-12 lakh for Jube to continue his business deals with Sheela. Sidhique, before being convicted in the other case, allegedly took the complainant to Kalamassery to ‘settle’ the issues with Zakeer. Sidhique also threatened Jube saying that they had taken ‘quotation’ against him at the behest of the CPM leadership in Thiruvananthapruam, and warned of severe consequences if he did not act as per their wish.
Jube had entered into a business agreement with Sheela, who owns Acrah Organics Pvt Ltd, for supplying dairy products. “The business was launched with a `35-lakh loan taken from IDBI Bank. However, Sheela Thomas unilaterally violated the agreement and stopped doing business after a few months. Then, Thrikkakara AC Bijo Alexander called me to his office and directed to close down the business establishment. Subsequently, I approached the Ernakulam Munsif Court, which pronounced a verdict in my favour,” said the complainant.
The investigation is led by Palarivattom SI Basil Thomas.