4 days ago
Congress Leader Arrested After Satheesan Convoy Stop in Thiruvananthapuram
Police arrested Congress leader Anil Kumar after Satheesan’s convoy stopped at Chenthi.
The convoy was travelling to Chempazhanthy for an event celebrating Sree Narayana Guru’s birth anniversary.
Police say Kumar and others signalled for the vehicle to stop.
Satheesan got out and argued with Kumar for a few minutes.
The police case says Kumar acted aggressively, made a threat and interfered with police duties.
Kumar denied blocking the vehicle.
Supporters said they were welcoming Satheesan because organisers had invited him to their event.
They also said the arrest may be linked to disagreements between groups in Congress.
Police are reviewing videos to determine what the other people did.
Reports differed over whether Congress had already suspended Kumar or was still considering action.
Thiruvananthapuram DCC leader Anil Kumar, also known as Chenthi Anil or Chenthi Ani, was arrested after a case was registered against him and others.
Police allege that a group stopped V D Satheesan’s convoy at Chenthi on Friday evening as it travelled to Chempazhanthy for a Sree Narayana Guru birth-anniversary event.
Satheesan got out of his vehicle and was seen in television visuals having a heated exchange with Kumar before leaving the spot.
The case invokes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 126(2), 351(2) and 132, concerning wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation and obstructing a public servant.
Organisers said Satheesan had been invited to their Chenthi programme, while police and his office said it was not on his official schedule; reports differed on whether Kumar was suspended.
- Who
- Thiruvananthapuram DCC leader Anil Kumar, also known as Chenthi Anil or Chenthi Ani, was arrested; V D Satheesan, Congress workers, event organisers and police were involved.
- What
- Kumar was arrested after allegedly helping stop Satheesan’s convoy and confronting him at Chenthi.
- Where
- Chenthi in Thiruvananthapuram, while Satheesan’s convoy was travelling toward Chempazhanthy.
- When
- The incident occurred at about 5:55 p.m. on Friday; Kumar was taken into custody later that night and his arrest was recorded after interrogation. The reports were published on Saturday, August 29.
- Why
- Police allege that Kumar obstructed the convoy and interfered with officials’ duties, while organisers say they stopped the vehicle because they expected Satheesan to attend their invited programme.
Police and party-action account
Organisers and dissenting Congress workers
Whether the convoy was blocked
Police and party-action account
Police allege that Kumar and others signalled Satheesan’s vehicle to stop, obstructing the convoy and officials accompanying it.
Organisers and dissenting Congress workers
Kumar and DCC member Suhail Shajahan denied that vehicles were blocked, saying workers had gathered to welcome Satheesan.
Kumar’s conduct
Police and party-action account
The FIR alleges that Kumar confronted Satheesan aggressively, threatened him and obstructed police duties; one report described his behaviour as improper.
Organisers and dissenting Congress workers
Shajahan said he did not see Kumar behave disrespectfully. Kumar criticised the confrontation and attributed the arrest to factional politics.
Whether the event was scheduled
Police and party-action account
Police and Satheesan’s office said the Chenthi event was not included in his official schedule.
Organisers and dissenting Congress workers
Organisers produced a photograph of a prior invitation meeting and said they expected Satheesan to attend the programme.
Arrest and disciplinary action
Police and party-action account
Police registered the case based on a route-clearing officer’s statement and arrested Kumar; one report said Congress decided to suspend him.
Organisers and dissenting Congress workers
Kumar and Shajahan questioned the arrest, while Shajahan said disciplinary action should be decided by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
Key facts
- Arrested
- Anil Kumar alias Chenthi Anil or Chenthi Ani, a Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee leader
- Incident time
- Approximately 5:55 p.m. on Friday
- Convoy destination
- Chempazhanthy, for an event marking Sree Narayana Guru’s birth anniversary
- Police charges
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 126(2), 351(2) and 132
- Police account
- The FIR alleges an aggressive confrontation, a threat and obstruction of police personnel accompanying the convoy
- Organisers’ account
- Organisers, including Congress workers, said they had invited Satheesan months earlier and expected him to attend the Chenthi event
- Investigation
- Police are examining videos to determine the roles of other people
- Party response
- One report said Congress decided to suspend Kumar, while other reports said party units were collecting details or that disciplinary action remained for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee to decide
Quotes
Anil Kumar alias Chenthi Ani
Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee leader accused of confronting and obstructing the convoy
“The accused allegedly confronted the chief minister in an aggressive manner and loudly questioned him as to why he was not attending the event despite it being an accepted programme. When asked to refrain from being aggressive, the accused allegedly threatened, What will you do if I get angry?, thereby publicly insulting the CM and obstructing the official duties of police personnel accompanying the convoy.”
theprint.in
m.rediff.com
“A publishing house that compromises its spine compromises democracy itself. The decision by Penguin Random House India regarding Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji's memoir, is deeply concerning. When a global publisher can release a book worldwide in its original form, why the sudden urge to censor and edit facts in India?”
republicworld.com
Sources
Congress Leader Blocks Kerala Chief Minister's Convoy, Argues With Him
TVM Congress Leader Arrested For Blocking VD Satheesan’s Convoy
Cong leader arrested for allegedly blocking CM Satheesan’s convoy in Thiruvananthapuram
Congress Leader Chenthi Anil Arrested for Blocking Kerala CM Satheesan's Convoy
DCC member held for stopping Kerala CM’s convoy; faces suspension from Congress
Cong leader arrested for allegedly blocking CM Satheesan's convoy
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