Pathanamthitta (Kerala) | CPI(M) state committee member K P Udayabhanu was booked for allegedly threatening police officials during a protest at Mallappally here, police said on Friday.
The case was registered at the Keezhvaipur police station following a protest march organised by the CPI(M) against searches conducted at houses in the Mallappally area on August 8 in connection with the search for history-sheeter Arjun Ayanki.
According to police, more than 100 CPI(M) local leaders and workers took part in the march to the Keezhvaipur police station on August 11.
As per the FIR, Udayabhanu, a former CPI(M) district secretary and current state committee member, addressed the gathering through a loudspeaker and allegedly issued threats against police officers while making derogatory remarks about their family members.
He allegedly asked whether the officers did not have mothers and sisters at home and warned that "we will deal with them", the FIR said.
Videos of the alleged speech were later circulated on social media, causing fear among police personnel, the FIR said.
After the videos came to the notice of police, a suo motu case was registered under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 117(e) and 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, officials said.
Ayanki was arrested by police in Kannur district on August 8, the same day searches were conducted in Mallappally.
Police had earlier said the searches were carried out based on information that Ayanki was hiding in the area.
Udayabhanu told reporters that he stood by his remarks against the police.
"I only asked if you don't have a mother and sister in your home as well. We will face whatever comes, whether it is a case or anything else, as a result of this. So do not try to intimidate us by filing cases," he said.
