Kerala CPI(M) leader questioned over killing over rival

Kannur:  Police today took statement from Kannur District CPI(M) Secretary P Jayarajan in connection with the probe into the murder of IUML activist Abdul Shukkoor in February. Police had served notice on Jayarajan and MLA and DYFI state Secretary TV Rajesh to be present before the probing official at the Government Guest house here as part of the probe into the murder. [caption id=“attachment_341088” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Representative image. Reuters”]  [/caption] Rajesh was asked to be present on 17 June. Jayarajan’s request for the presence of his lawyer while the statement is being taken, was rejected by the police. Kannur SP Rahul Nair, DySp Sukumaran and CI Preman took the statement from the CPI(M) leader, which lasted for about two-and-a-half-hour. Speaking to mediapersons Jayarajan said he would cooperate with the inquiry. Not allowing the presence of his lawyer was a violation of law, he said. 21-year-old Shukkoor was killed at Keezhara in Kannur district on 20 February. The murder was apparently in retailiation to the attack on Jayarajan and Rajesh during their visit to Ariyil in February. PTI