Police, prison officials in blame game

The journey of CPM Kannur District Secretary P Jayarajan, an accused in the Abdul Shukkoor murder case, from Kannur Central Jail to Kozhikode Medical College for  checkup in a private vehicle has stirred up yet another controversy. The row has led to a blame game between the officials of Police and Prison Departments, as the CPM leader, who was remanded in judicial custody at the Kannur Central Prison, was taken to the hospital in the vehicle registered in his name on Wednesday.

North Zone DIG, Prisons, Shivadas Thyparambil has submitted a primary report on the incident, pointing out a failure in the duty of the police officials as they are responsible in taking out the prisoners to the hospital or any such purposes.

Jayarajan arrived at the Medical College Hospital in a black Mahindra Bolero with the registration number KL 58 C 1717. The vehicle is being used by Patyam Social Service Society and is registered in the name of P Jayarajan.

The Home Department has ordered North Zone DIG, Prisons, to conduct a probe into the issue.


According to the sources, Jayarajan was taken to Kozhikode in the Tata Sumo Spacio owned by the Prisons Department with police escort.

The vehicle, reportedly broke down near Chemancheri in Kozhikode district, on the way. Later, the CPM leader was taken to the hospital in the Bolero which accompanied the escort, by the police. The act of the police was not as per the rules as in such situations they should report at the nearest police station and should take the prisoner in police vehicle, said the Prison Department officials.

However, police officials said that there was no such failure as the prison squad comprising of officials of A R camp had carried out the duty.

“If there was any lapses in police duty, action would be taken against erred officials,” said Kannur SP Rahul R Nair.

Jayarajan underwent check up in departments of ENT and Cardiology of the Medical College Hospital, owing to a hole found in one of the eardrums and chest pain. In the medical examination, weakness of the nerves of both the ears was found, said hospital authorities.

He also underwent ECG and Echo test with the Cardiology Department. The doctors also advised him for a cardiac MRI.