The CPI (M) in Kannur expelled four accused in the murder of youth Congress leader Shuhaib, stating that the members violated party norms. The announcement was made by the CPI (M) district office in Kannur on Saturday.

The expelled party members, who are also the key suspects in the political murder that rocked the state, are Akash Thillenkery (24), CS Deep Chand, TK Askar who allegedly drove the vehicle of the assailants and K Akhil (23).

The decision was reportedly taken at a District Committee meeting which was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI (M) General Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. A total of 11 people, all reported to be associated with CPI (M), have been arrested in connection with Shuhaib's murder. However, the four expelled suspects are the only ones with a formal party membership, the report stated.

Shuhaib (29), a block secretary in the Youth Congress, was hacked to death in Mattanur, Kannur.

The party had earlier stated that strict disciplinary action would be taken if it was found that the suspects were associated with the murder, a Mathrubhumi report statedCPI (M) District Secretary P Jayarajan, had stated that the party would do its own investigations and not act based on the police listing them as suspects. However, despite the expulsion, it is not certain if the party found key evidence against the accused, according to a Manorama report.

The High Court had ordered a CBI probe into the gruesome political murder of the youth congress leader. Additionally, the court also instructed the CBI to probe the political conspiracy behind the murder. However, this CBI probe was strongly opposed by the government which claimed that all the suspects in the murder were already arrested and CM Pinarayi Vijayan even stated that there was no need for a CBI investigation.