Four CPM workers booked in Koothattukulam woman councillor's abduction case

Kochi: The Koothattukulam police have arrested four CPM workers in connection with the abduction of councillor Kala Raju. The arrested are Arun V Mohan (40), Chellakkapadi Branch secretary; Tony Bobby (34), a member of the Kothattukulam Town Branch; Rinse Varghese (42), a member of the Chellakkapadi Branch; and Sajith Abraham (40), a member of the Paittakulam Branch. Police sources indicate that more CPM workers will be taken into custody in the coming days.

Investigations have revealed that Arun V Mohan was present during the abduction and played an active role in forcibly taking Kala Raju into the car.

Additionally, the police have registered cases against 45 individuals, including the CPM Koothattukulam area secretary, the municipal chairperson, the vice-chairman, and the party’s local secretary. The case was filed following a complaint lodged by Kala Raju’s children.

Kala Raju, a CPM councillor, was reportedly abducted by party workers just before the discussion of a no-confidence motion against the LDF-led council governing the Koothattukulam municipality. She was expected to vote in favour of the opposition UDF. The councillor, however, was kidnapped in the official vehicle of the municipal chairperson in broad daylight as she arrived to participate in the vote. 

The Koothattukulam municipality is currently governed by the LDF, which holds 13 seats in the 25-member council. The opposition UDF holds 11 seats, with one seat occupied by an independent member.