CI Abhilash David was the one who attacked me during Perambra clash: Shafi Parambil

KOZHIKODE: MP Shafi Parambil has released digital evidence and levelled serious allegations against the police in connection with the Perambra clash case. He claimed that CI Abhilash David, who had earlier faced action over links with goons and the mafia, was the one who assaulted him. The video footage reportedly shows the officer hitting Shafi on the head and nose, and later charging at him again with a baton.

Abhilash David, along with a few other officers, had been suspended on January 16, 2023, over the lapses in handling a sexual harassment case. On January 19, reports said he was dismissed from service. However, he is currently serving as the control room inspector in Vadakara. Shafi alleged that despite the claims of dismissal, Abhilash was secretly reinstated and assigned to carry out “CPM’s goonda tasks.” After his suspension, Abhilash was a regular visitor to the CPM office in Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Shafi added.

Shafi further claimed that the grenade that exploded during the incident was in police possession. Vadakara DySP Hariprasad was allegedly holding the grenade while attempting to attack party workers with a baton. Shafi said that no one has yet recorded his statement about the incident.

CI denies allegations

CI Abhilash David denied the allegations, saying he was not present at the scene during the clash. He stated that he was on duty at the Perambra bus stand at the time and added that he had no knowledge of the digital evidence released by the MP.

Was Abhilash David dismissed from service?

It has come to light that CI Abhilash David - the officer accused by MP Shafi Parambil of assaulting him during the Vadakara protest - had earlier been removed from service by then Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner CH Nagaraju.

It is learned that the Commissioner’s order was cancelled, and the punishment was limited to the suspension ordered by the DGP.

Abhilash David was suspended after being found to have links with goons and the real estate mafia, which had allegedly damaged the reputation of the police force. The City Police Commissioner’s dismissal order followed the DGP’s suspension order.

When he was the Station House Officer at Sreekaryam, Abhilash had also faced serious charges of mishandling a sexual harassment case. The Commissioner had stated in January 2023 that he was removed from service for deliberately protecting the accused and tampering with the case. It was also found that Abhilash had acted as a mediator in real estate disputes involving goonda leaders and had leaked confidential information to them.

Along with Abhilash, two other officers were also dismissed at that time. Both of them are no longer in service. There are now growing calls for clarity on how Abhilash was reinstated.

At the same time, Abhilash David has clarified that he was never dismissed but only suspended. DGP R. Akhil Chandrasekhar has said that the allegations made by the MP will be investigated.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had informed the Assembly that 144 police officers had been dismissed from service over the past nine years for various offences.