MALAYINKEEZH: Panchayat standing committee Chairman and CPI local committee secretary Sudhir Khan has been attacked with acid by the former local secretary. Yesterday at 7.30 am, former secretary Saji came to the house of Sudhir Khan (43) in Maranalloor and poured acid on his face and body when he was sleeping in the bedroom.

Sudhir Khan was admitted to the ICU of the Medical College Hospital with burns on his face, eyes, chest and hands. Police has started searching for the absconding suspect. Saji went to the room and returned when Sudhir Khan's wife was present. Sudhir Khan woke up shocked and thought that there had been an accident due to the explosion of his mobile phone. He was first admitted to a private hospital in Kattakkada and then to the Medical College Hospital. On examination, it was confirmed that it was an acid attack.

To the room saying he must give it in person

Sudheer Khan's wife Hirunisa revealed that Saji came home and asked for Sudheer Khan. When she said that he would not wake up, Saji showed the package in his hand and went to the room saying that it was to be given personally. Hirunisa went out to clean the yard and after a while, Saji hurried out. Later, Sudhir Khan came screaming and said that the mobile phone had exploded. Hirunisa called Saji for help but his phone was switched off. Kandala Cooperative Bank President N Bhasurangan is the one who came and took Sudheer Khan to the hospital. The police have got the CCTV footage of Saji coming with the package. The bed, cloth and curtain in the room have been burnt. Forensic team and fingerprint experts took the evidence. The police found the acid bottle. Kattakkada DySP Shibu N said that the accused is absconding.

Saji was secretary of Velloorkonam Ksheera Sangham and secretary of CPI Maranalloor local committee. Sudhir Khan was the president of Ksheera Sangham. Saji had retired from the post of Ksheera Sangham secretary three years ago but even after that, he used to come to the Ksheera Sangham and take money and check leaves. Sudheer Khan questioned this many times and this is suspected to be the reason for the grudge. Sudhir Khan became the secretary when Saji was changed from his position of local committee secretary.