In a massive crackdown, Kerala police have detained several workers of the SDPI - the political wing of the radical outfit Popular Front of India or PFI for questioning them on their role in the Abhimanyu murder case. Abhimanyu, an SFI leader and student of the Maharaja's college was killed on Sunday inside the campus in Ernakulam by member of SDPI, PFI and Campus Front of India.
According to reports, 600 odd members of the SDPI have been detained by police and questioned about their role in the incident and the possibility of it being an organised crime by the outfit.
"We have detained several workers for questioning as we have found out that they were problem makers. They are in police custody for interrogation on their role in the Abhimanyu murder case. We cannot give a confirmation on the exact count now," K Lallji, Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner who is part of the investigating squad told TNM.
Two SDPI workers - Riyas and Niyas from Madrasaparambil house in Nettoor, Maradu Municipality in Ernakulam have also been detained for questioning, according to Ernakulam police.
The duo were earlier arrested, tried and acquitted for lack of evidence in the controversial case in which professor TJ Joseph's hand was hacked, according to sources. The case that shook the state in 2010 involved members of the Popular Front of India. These activists were convicted for chopping the hand of the professor at Newman College Thodupuzha, Idukki for setting a question paper that insulted Prophet Muhammad. The professor was coming back from Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha on July 4, 2010 when he was attacked in public.
Out of those accused, 18 were acquitted by the NIA court for lack of evidence. This includes the duo now being questioned in the Abhimanyu case.