From prison to exam hall: Maoist leader Raghavendra writes degree exam

MALA: Maoist leader Raghavendra, who is lodged at Viyyur Central Prison, appeared for his degree examination at Holy Grace College in Mala under heavy security on Friday. Raghavendra was brought to the examination centre with the permission of the court under the supervision of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with Mala police providing security under the supervision of Kodakkara SHO V.G. Anand. This was the third time Raghavendra had come to Mala to appear for his BA Sociology examination. He has one more examination remaining.

Raghavendra was arrested in 2021 by the Valapattanam police in connection with a case involving weapons training conducted in the Nilambur forest in 2017. A total of 19 members, including Kuppu Devaraj, who was killed in an encounter with the Thunderbolts at Varayannmala in Nilambur, were part of the group.
Although police registered a case against Raghavendra and others in connection with the incident, they could not arrest them at the time. The case was later handed over to the NIA.

While lodged at Viyyur Central Prison, Raghavendra obtained court permission to appear for his degree examination.
He entered the examination hall at 10 a.m. and completed the examination at 1 p.m. He was then taken back to Viyyur in a special vehicle under police escort.