CPM branch secy arrested for ITI student’s death

Kollam: Sarasan Pillai, the branch secretary of the CPM unit at Arinalloor near here, was arrested around 12.30pm on Thursday for the death of ITI student Ranjith, 18, son of Radhakrishna Pillai and Rajani of Thevalakkara.
The arrest was made in front of the Thevalakkara church by a police team led by Chavara circle inspector S Chandradas. Pillai, the second accused in the case, had gone absconding following the death of Ranjith.

The incident relates to the assault on Ranjith, a student of the Government ITI, Chandanathope, on February 14.

Pillai and his brother’s son and district jail warder Vineeth and four others had reached the house of Ranjith to question him over the alleged eve teasing of Pillai's daughter. But Ranjith, who had been suffering from epilepsy from childhood, denied any role the eve teasing.

Though his mother and other family members claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity, Vineet, the first accused, allegedly hit the boy on his face. In the very first blow Ranjith fell unconscious.

Following this, Ranjith was admitted to the Sasthacotta Taluk Hospital and from there was later shifted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical college Hospital. Though he was discharged on the next day, he suffered convulsion and admitted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram where he breathed his last on February 28.

Following the death, the body was brought to the Thekkumbhagam police station as a mark of protest by Youth Congress workers. This forced the city police commissioner to order the arrest of Vineeth, the first accused in the case, on March 1.

Congress workers had alleged that police and the CPM leadership were trying to save the culprits, including Pillai.

Meanwhile, following the arrest, Pillai was admitted to the Karunagapally Taluk Hospital after he complained of physical discomfort. TNN