Midnight police search in Mallappally triggers political row over procedures

A midnight police search for history-sheeter Arjun Ayanki in Kattamala near Mallappally has sparked a political controversy, with the CPI(M) accusing the police of raiding homes without permission even after they had reportedly traced him to Kannur.

According to local residents, a large police contingent arrived in Kattamala, a residential area with around 60 houses, in eight vehicles after 11.30 p.m. on Saturday. The police first searched the house of Nithin Kumar, secretary of the Mallappally East local committee of the CPI(M), and subsequently the residence of Rahul, area president of the SFI.

Mr. Kumar told the media that he had informed the Circle Inspector, who first approached him around 10.30 p.m., that he had only heard about Arjun Ayanki through social media and had never met him in person. Despite this, he said, the police returned with a large contingent and searched their houses without permission.

He alleged that the police action was politically motivated and stemmed from animosity over social media posts targeting the UDF leadership, including the panchayat president. Local residents also alleged that the police broke open the door of a woman’s house before entering and searching the premises. The search was called off only after residents began recording the police action on their mobile phones, they said.

CPI(M) district secretary Raju Abraham, who visited the area on Sunday morning, alleged that the police had already traced Arjun to Kannur by around 9 p.m. on Friday. “Despite having clear information about his presence in Kannur, the police deliberately continued with the search here and entered houses without permission, including those of poor Scheduled Caste families living in extremely deprived conditions. Some of these houses do not even have proper doors or windows,” he said.

The police, however, maintained that the team had reached Kattamala acting on a tip-off that the fugitive might be hiding in the area. They declined to comment on the specific allegations of procedural lapses, saying the matter was under review.

This incident highlights the tension between law enforcement operations and residents’ rights, with political parties quick to interpret police actions through a partisan lens. The Kerala Police have not yet issued a formal statement on the allegations, but sources said an internal enquiry may be initiated to verify the claims of unauthorized entry.

As the political row intensifies, local residents remain concerned about the manner in which the search was conducted. Many have demanded a transparent investigation into the police conduct, while others have called for clarity on the legal procedures followed during midnight raids.