Aslam murder: IPS officer shifted soon after arresting CPM worker

A day after the arrest of a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) worker, the main suspect in the sensational murder of Muslim League activist Aslam at Nadapuram in Kozhikode, the officer in charge of the investigation was removed from the probe team.

Nadapuram ASP Karuppa Swami IPS was shifted from the investigation team on Sunday morning. CPM worker Rameesh, the main suspect in the murder case, had been arrested by the investigation team on Saturday. The timing of the removal of the police officer raised doubts about the intention of the government behind the abrupt action prompting the Congress to allege that the government was trying to sabotage the investigation.
 

Also read: Nadapuram in Kerala tense after murder of Muslim League worker

The police had arrested a few CPM workers in connection with Aslam murder at   Nadapuram , the sensitive northern Kerala town notorious for its long-standing rivalry between the Muslim-league and the Communist Party. There were allegations that the CPM local leadership was also involved in the conspiracy behind the murder of Aslam.
 

Also read: All accused walk free in sensational murder of CPM activist in Kerala
 

The Muslim League worker Aslam,20, was hacked to death by a gang on 12 August. He was an accused in the murder of Shibin, an activist of the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPM, in January 2015. But a trial court had acquitted all the accused in the case in June this year, much to the disappointment of the CPM.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the removal of the IPS officer was an attempt to sabotage the probe. The investigation was leading to CPM leaders who conspired behind the murder when the officer was hurriedly transferred.  The reigns of the police have shifted from Home Department to the CPM, which is a disturbing trend, he said.

• Aslam murder
• Karuppa Swami IPS
• CPM-IUML clash
• Nadapuram