ALAPPUZHA: Former SFI leader Nikhil Thomas, the accused in the fake degree certificate case, has been expelled from the CPM. Nikhil was expelled from the party on the recommendation of the district committee. Nikhil, who is currently on the run, is a member of the CPM Kayamkulam market branch.

The district committee had demanded the immediate expulsion of Nikhil Thomas by avoiding the procedures usually followed before expelling a party member. This was conveyed to the state leadership. The leadership then decided to immediately expel Nikhil as it felt that the fake degree certificate controversy brought disgrace to the party.

SFI and CPM were equally on the defensive after it was found that Nikhil had produced a fake degree certificate in the name of Kalinga University to get admission to MCom in MSM College, Kayamkulam. It is reported that Nikhil's friend had given a statement that Nikhil had received the help of a former SFI leader to make a fake certificate. The police are not ruling out the possibility of the involvement of more accused in the case as there are indications that Nikhil has received help to forge the document. The police have not yet found Nikhil.