Shukkoor murder case spectre returns to haunt CPI(M) with CBI court dismissing Jayarajan and Rajesh’s discharge pleas

The infamous Abdul Shukkoor murder case from 2012 has resurfaced, haunting the Communist Party of India (Marxist) as the CBI court refused to quash trial proceedings against party veterans P. Jayarajan and T.V. Rajesh. They were named as co-conspirators in Shukkoor’s killing, sparking a political storm in north Kerala. The verdict has given the Congress-led Opposition a weapon to criticize the CPI(M) ahead of the upcoming Assembly session. Shukkoor’s mother opposing the discharge applications of the CPI(M) leaders further intensified the emotive and political nature of the case. The IUML hailed the court’s decision as serving justice, emphasizing that the murder was a result of a criminal conspiracy. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan alleged that the top CPI(M) leaders were involved in planning and executing Shukkoor’s killing, reinforcing the UDF’s stance against political violence.