Adoor police station attack: One more arrested, need to conduct further probe into role of Sreenadevi, say police

PATHANAMTHITTA: One more person has been arrested in connection with the attack carried out by Youth Congress workers at the Adoor police station. The arrested person has been identified as Jayakrishnan Pallikkal, president of the Youth Congress Adoor mandalam committee. The arrest comes amid growing allegations of police inaction in the case.

The incident took place on July 11. The attack occurred when YouTuber Rajan Joseph, who had been arrested on a complaint that he had insulted Congress leader and Pathanamthitta District Panchayat member Sreenadevi Kunjamma on social media, was being brought to the Adoor police station.

The incident triggered a major controversy after CCTV footage obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act was released. The visuals show Youth Congress workers blocking a police vehicle as Rajan Joseph was being taken out of it. They are also seen attempting to attack him as a group.

Although the police managed to rescue Rajan Joseph from the attackers and take him inside the station, Sreenadevi Kunjamma entered the police station and approached the lock-up. She was seen angrily speaking to Rajan Joseph, who was inside the lock-up. The police explained that Sreenadevi Kunjamma was allowed near the lock-up with police permission in order to avoid protests outside the station.

A case had been registered against around 20 identifiable persons in connection with the incident, but no further action was taken initially. Arrests of the other accused began only after the complete CCTV footage from the police station came out. More Youth Congress workers are also likely to be arrested soon. The police have said that a further investigation is required to decide whether Sreenadevi Kunjamma should be made an accused in the case.