'Thallumala' after entering wrong apartment in Kochi; Three police officers injured, accused held

KOCHI: A plot that would befit a film scene ended in a melee, leaving three police officers of Maradu station injured. The accused, who caused a disturbance by entering the wrong flat complex, was arrested. A case was also registered against the flat residents who manhandled the accused. Non-bailable charges have been filed against the accused for obstructing official duty and assaulting police personnel. Including a separate case regarding the seizure of 0.020 mg of MDMA, a total of three cases have been registered in connection with the incident.

Ranjith (32), a native of Nikarthil House in Kuthiathode, Alappuzha, was caught by locals and handed over to the police while attempting to trespass into the home of a female doctor within the flat complex.

Civil Police Officer P.M. Fazal (40), whose right arm was fractured during the attack by the accused at the station, underwent surgery at a private hospital in Kochi. ASI K. Sumesh Kumar (49), who suffered a dislocated left wrist, remains hospitalised. SI K. Jackson (32), who sustained a blow to the neck, has been discharged. The accused, who suffered injuries to his head, forehead, and nose and was initially treated at the police cell of Ernakulam Medical College Hospital, was produced before the Ernakulam Magistrate Court on Saturday and remanded to custody. Reports indicate that the accused is trained in boxing and other martial arts.

The incident occurred around noon on Friday at the 'Nanma' flat complex in Silver Sand Island, Vyttila. The accused stated that he had gone to the flat to recover money lent to a young woman. Mistaking the apartment, he knocked on the door of a female doctor. Upon realising the mistake, he asked for water. He then entered the flat, claiming he needed to use the restroom. When a commotion ensued, he fled and entered another apartment.

Residents subsequently apprehended and subdued him before handing him over to the police. MDMA was discovered on him while the Maradu police were taking him into custody. After a case was registered regarding this, the accused injured himself by banging his head against the wall of his prison cell; the self-harm occurred while attempts were being made to restrain him. Ranjith has two prior cases against him, including one with the Kuthiathode police, related to drug use. A case was also registered based on a complaint filed by his fiancée regarding residents physically assaulting Ranjith.