Kasaragod: PK Muhammed, a prominent High Court advocate and communist leader who once defeated the legendary Cherkalam Abdulla, passed away in Kochi on Monday, said his daughter Jasmine. He was 84.

Adv Muhammed, a native of Kothamangalam, has had an extraordinary journey. He started as an employee in a restaurant in Kasaragod and turned his life around with hard work and honesty.

Muhammed was born to Kunjibava and Shareefa in Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district in 1940. In 1962, at 22, Muhammed reached Kasaragod looking for a job. He approached Badria Hotel, a popular and busy restaurant open 24 hours, near the Kasaragod bus stand.

Badria Hotel's owners, Badria Abdul Khader, Badria Hassainar, and Badria Abbas, hired him. Muhammed soon impressed the three brothers with his sincerity and dedication to his work, and they decided to support his education and encourage him to pursue legal studies.

After completing his education, Mohammed began practising law in Kasaragod. He married Rukhiya Beevi, the daughter of the Badria brothers' sister.

Muhammed became active in politics too, taking up the cause of workers. In 1968, he was at the forefront of the protests against the murder of Varadaraja Pai (21), a conductor of the 'Mehboob' bus of Kasaragod. Pai was run over allegedly by the bus owner when he was picketing the vehicle, demanding better employment conditions and higher wages.

The CPM then fielded Adv Muhammed against the young Cherkalam Abdulla of the IUML in the Cherkala ward in Chengala grama panchayat.

Muhammed defeated the firebrand leader by a huge margin and served as the panchayat member of Chengala.

(Cherkalam went on to become a four-time MLA from Manjeshwar and a minister in A K Antony's government in 2001.)

Muhammed was one of the founding leaders of the Kasaragod Service Cooperative Bank. He opened his legal practice near Kasaragod Government College in Vidyanagar. His son-in-law, prominent advocate Ibrahim CN, now runs this office.

Muhammed moved to Kochi and had been practising in the High Court for 25 years.

Monday night, Adv Muhammed experienced physical discomfort and was rushed to a hospital in Kochi. He died soon after.

He is survived by his wife Rukhiya Beevi, and children Jasmine, Muneer and Nisar.

His body was brought to his son's place at Chettumkuzhi in Kasaragod and later buried at Chettumkuzhi Juma Masjid Tuesday evening, the family said.