Kochi: Congress leader and Maradu municipal vice-chairman Antony Ashanparambil on Monday moved the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail in the alleged case of abduction and assault of a businessman. Six others, including councillor Jinson Peter, too are facing charges of kidnapping and abduction of P.A. Shukkoor, an INTUC leader from Nettoor. It is alleged that Mr Ashanparambil and his team abducted Mr Shukkoor and detained him in a secret location and inflicted injuries. Though the goons in the case surrendered, Mr Ashanparambil and Mr Peter are still absconding. Police claims that the duo might have left Kerala and a probe team is on the lookout for them.
The other accused were identified as Bharathan, Shiju, Ramshad, Salam alias Konj Salam and Abhi alias Auto Abhi. Congress leaders allegedly engaged a quotation gang to threaten the victim and force him to back out from a land reclamation deal for which they too were contenders. According to police, the accused in custody are identified as members of a criminal gang led by Bhai Nazir. According to police, Mr Shukkoor, who was into the construction business had launched a poster campaign against mr Ashanparambil in 2013 owing to a business rivalry. Police suspect that Mr Ashanparambil engaged goons in retaliation to the poster incident. Mr Shukkoor was kidnapped and taken to a house near Nettoor railway gate by Mr Ashanparambil, Mr Peter and 14 others.
