Kochi: The special CBI court in Kochi has rejected the bail pleas of P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh, who are accused in the murder case of Youth League worker Arif Shukoor. The court made it clear that they must face trial. Shukoor’s mother, Aathik, had previously approached the court opposing the bail plea.
In her petition, she pointed out that both CPM leaders P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh were involved in a conspiracy and that there were witnesses to their participation in it. Jayarajan and Rajesh argued their case for bail by claiming there was no evidence against them at first glance. However, Shukoor’s mother’s lawyer informed the court that there are phone records, witness testimonies, and circumstantial evidence indicating Jayarajan and Rajesh’s involvement.
Arif Shukoor (24) was murdered on February 20, 2012. The case alleges that CPM workers killed Shukoor to retaliate against an attack by Muslim League activists on the car in which T.V. Rajesh and P. Jayarajan were traveling. The investigation, which was initiated by the Kannapuram police, has been completed, and a chargesheet was filed. Shukoor’s mother claimed in her petition that the police did not investigate the involvement of Jayarajan and Rajesh in the conspiracy, leading to the High Court directing the CBI to continue the investigation into the case.
