Jishnu Prannoy case: Mother 'assaulted', uncle 'kicked' by Kerala Police; LDF govt slammed

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police on Wednesday arrested the parents of Jishnu Prannoy, an engineering college student who allegedly committed suicide, for trying to stage an indefinite fast in front of DGP's office here.

The family members, who arrived here from Kozhikode, had planned to stage a protest in front of DGP Loknath Behara's office this morning, calling for the arrest of all those “responsible” for Jishnu's death.

However, as they approached the DGP's office, police prevented them, saying it was a restricted area.

Jishnu's uncle alleged that police kicked him and assaulted his sister, Mahija, the mother of Jishnu, who lay on the road and protested.

They were forcibly dragged from the site and arrested.

Jishnu's mother, who suffered some injuries, has been hospitalised.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M)-led LDF government has come under criticism from various quarters for the police action.

CPI(M) veteran VS Achuthanandan called up DGP and expressed his displeasure at the developments.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala, said he was "pained" at the government's failure to understand the sorrow of a mother, who had lost her only child.

Chennithala, a former home minister, said he was shocked at the arrest of the boy's relatives, while former chief minister Oommen Chandy termed the police action as "shameful."

BJP leader O Rajagopal was among those who criticised the police action.

Various youth organisations are protesting in front of the hospital where Mahija is admitted.

Jishnu Prannoy, a first-year student of Nehru college of engineering in Thrissur, was founding hanging in the college hostel in January last after college authorities harassed him after he was allegedly caught copying in an exam.

Yesterday, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Nehru group of Institutions, P Krishnadas, was arrested and let off on bail.

Meanwhile, DGP Loknath Behara visited Mahija at the hospital and enquired about her health.

Later, he told reporters that IGP has been asked to enquire into the violent incidents and file a report by evening.

Asked about the manner in which Mahija was taken into custody by police, he said,"This incident should not have happened. There will be an enquiry and I cannot comment without getting a report."

"I am a law enforcement officer, I have given orders to IGP to inquire and file a report by this evening," he said.

Behara said according to intelligence reports “there were some outsiders in the group of family members at the time of the incident. The family wanted to discuss the case with him... SIT is looking into it”.

However, there are some "shortcomings," which is why the family wanted to meet him, he said.

Jishnu's mother wanted to have a one-to-one discussion with him, he added.

(With PTI inputs)