KOZHIKODE: A joint operation by the Kozhikode Town police and the city crime squad led to the arrest of four habitual offenders who allegedly assaulted an on-duty police officer with a medical syringe at Mananchira Square. The arrested are Benny Lloyd, 48, from Poolakkadavu, Rajadh, 38, from Parappil, Nandakumar, 25, from Ramanattukara; and Adnul Shahim, 22, from Chalappuram.
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening, while Malabar Special Police (MSP) personnel Vishakh and Adarsh were deployed alongside town police officers for routine patrol duty near the main gate of Mananchira Square.
Around 7.40pm, officers received complaints regarding unauthorised money collection happening inside the park. Upon investigating near a tree bench close to the public restrooms, officers spotted four men and instructed them to vacate the premises.
The four persons openly challenged the police personnel and refused to move. When officers attempted to disperse them forcibly, one of them stabbed constable Adarsh on the back of his right hand using a syringe he was holding. The assailants immediately fled the scene, while the injured constable was taken to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
Following directives from the Kozhikode city police commissioner Shaukkathali, a search was launched by the city crime squad and the town police. Investigative teams tracked down and apprehended all four from various locations across Kozhikode city within hours.
The police said all four are chronic drug users with extensive criminal backgrounds, including extortion, theft, and assault. Among the accused, Benny faces nearly 25 criminal cases involving drug possession, narcotics peddling, robbery, and extortion. Officials said the other three suspects — Rajadh, Nandakumar, and Adnul — also carry long criminal records involving narcotics offences.
“The accused are repeat offenders involved in multiple drug and theft cases across the city,” town police station inspector Dhananjayadas said.
“Though it seems like a minor attack, what if this trend continues and the accused stab officers or civilians with used syringes? Strict legal measures are being enforced to ensure zero tolerance toward violence against public servants,” added the inspector.
Criminal background
Among the accused, Benny faces nearly 25 criminal cases involving drug possession, narcotics peddling, robbery, and extortion. The other three — Rajadh, Nandakumar, and Adnul — also carry long criminal records
