Kochi: In a setback for CPM leaders P Jayarajan and T V Rajesh, accused in the Ariyil Shukoor murder case, the special CBI court in Ernakulam rejected the release plea of ​​both of them to quash the charge sheet against them. The CBI had charged Jayarajan and Rajesh with conspiracy in the case. The leaders had approached the court against this.

The argument of both of them was that since there was no evidence against them, the charge of conspiracy could not stand and there was no need for trial. As the court has rejected this request, the next option is to approach the High Court. Otherwise both will have to face trial in the case.

During the hearing, the prosecution had earlier stated that the charges of murder and criminal conspiracy against Jayarajan and Rajesh would remain. The prosecution also demanded that the release petition be dismissed as there is evidence against them.

The Ariyil Shukoor Murder Case 

Shukoor, a Muslim League worker, was killed on February 20, 2020. The case is that the CPM activists killed Shukoor after the League workers attacked the car in which P Jayarajan, CPM then Kannur district secretary, and T V Rajesh, then Kalliasseri MLA, were traveling.  There are 34 accused in the case.