KANNUR: The District and Sessions Court, Thalassery on Tuesday allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to quiz CPM district secretary P Jayarajan in the Kathiroor Manoj murder case for three days starting Wednesday.
Pronouncing the verdict on the CBI’s petition seeking three days’ custody of Jayarajan in the case, Principal Sessions Judge V G Anil Kumar permitted the investigation agency to interrogate the CPM leader either in hospital or in Kannur Central Prison between 9 am to 6 pm during these days.
The court also directed the CBI not to allow any other person along with the investigation officer, while questioning Jayarajan. It asked the Central Prison Superintendent to make all arrangements for the CBI officer to interrogate in the said days.
The CBI, in its plea, had argued that Jayarajan, 25th accused in the murder case, be given in their custody for questioning as his health condition was found normal as per the latest medical report.
But Jayarajan’s counsel opposed the argument saying he was undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College (KMC) hospital.Meanwhile, the Kannur Central Jail authority submitted a latest report prepared by medical team of KMC on the health condition of Jayarajan, stating that his medical condition was satisfactory.
Jayarajan is now under one month’s judicial custody in the murder case and undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College hospital. CBI DySP Hari Om Praksh, who is leading the investigation, will reportedly question Jayarajan at the Medical College on Wednesday.
It was on January 21, Jayarajan was arraigned by the CBI as the 25th accused in the case.
He was charged with offences, including Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The 42-year-old Kathiroor Manoj, a district functionary of RSS, was hacked to death in the politically-volatile Kathiroor, near Thalassery, in Kannur district on September 1, 2014 allegedly by a group of CPM workers.