IDUKKI: An arrest warrant has been issued against Nikhil Paily, the main accused in the murder of Dheeraj, a former student of Idukki Engineering College. The Thodupuzha court decided to issue the arrest warrant after Paily failed to appear in court on the day of reading the charge sheet. The police were instructed to arrest Nikhil and release him on bail. The case was adjourned to the 4th of October to read the charge sheet.

It was on 10th January 2022 that SFI leader Dheeraj got stabbed to death in a melee. Nikhil was the first accused in the murder. He was arrested back then and was released on bail after 87 days. There are eight accused in the charge sheet. The accused have been charged with murder, attempted murder, destruction of evidence, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prohibition of Atrocities Act.

Meanwhile, controversy also erupted in Puthuppally after Nikhil Paily appeared for campaigning. On Friday, DYFI accused the UDF of being complacent in appointing Paily in charge of election duty. Paily retorted back saying he was just a murder accused like CM Pinarayi Vijayan.