Leaked station video sparks political row in Kerala over Congress leaders

What Happened

Video footage has emerged showing Congress leaders creating a ruckus inside the Adoor police station in Kerala. The visuals show a mob of more than twenty people camping at the station between 10:15 pm and 12 am on July 11. The group barged into the station and assaulted YouTuber Rajan Joseph, who had been brought in for a defamation case. Pathanamthitta district panchayat member Sreenadevi Kunjamma and Youth Congress leader Fenny Ninan are seen in the footage, with Ms. Kunjamma directly confronting Mr. Joseph inside the lock-up while police stood by without taking action.

Reaction

The Adoor police previously booked 20 persons over the assault, during which at least one police officer was hurt, but never identified the accused or took action. The leaked video has given fresh ammunition to the CPI(M). CPI(M) area secretary S. Manoj accused the police of acting as a shield for Ms. Kunjamma and her criminal gang, stating that attacking a police station at night is unheard of in the state. Ms. Kunjamma was not available for comment and is expected to address the media later at the District Congress Committee office in Pathanamthitta.

Context

Incidents involving political interference in police stations often trigger sharp debates over law enforcement and political accountability. Rival political parties frequently use such controversies to question the ruling administration's handling of law and order.