Jishnu Pranoy’s mother Mahija, who was on a hunger strike since Thursday has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of Thiruvananthapuram medical college. Her daughter Avishna, who has also been on a fast for four days at her residence in Kozhikode's Nadapuram, is also reportedly critical. Reports suggest that a medical team has been deployed at the residence even as police have been pressurising her to shift to a hospital.
Police had earlier planned to arrest Avishna and move her to a hospital but locals had blocked their move.
Meanwhile, Jishnu’s father Ashokan said his family would return the Rs 10 lakh compensation they received from the government, saying his son was more important than money. “It is painful that a political party (CPIM) we all believed in are doing this to us. If the accused are not arrested, we will return the money. Our son is more important than Rs 10 or Rs 20 lakh,” he told the media.
Kerala Law Minister AK Balan, however, said he didn’t think the family would return the money and added that the government is doing their best with regard to the investigation.
“Jishnu’s family are party workers. The government has put all effort in this case. I don’t think they will give back the money,” Balan said.
Jishnu Pranoy, a student of engineering at Nehru College in Pambady, was found dead in his hostel room under mysterious circumstances on January 6. He had allegedly killed himself after being mentally and physically harassed by college authorities for “cheating” in an examination.
Jishnu’s family and relatives staged a protest in front of the DGP office on Wednesday, which quickly turned ugly. Police officials forcibly dragged Jishnu’s family including his mother Mahija before arresting them. They are demanding that two accused in the case, who have not gotten anticipatory bail be arrested.
Sakthivel, the Vice principal of Nehru college of Engineering and CP Praveen, a teacher were not granted anticipatory bail.
On Sunday, the family reiterated its position stating they would not call off their hunger strike until the police arrest at least one of the five accused.
While the police said claim that Sakthivel and Praveen are absconding, Jishnu’s uncle Sreejith said that the two accused are in Kerala and are not hiding. Sreejith also alleged that Praveen had visited a bank in Thrissur to withdraw money.
Meanwhile, LDF’s ally CPI has hit out against the police and the government over its attitude towards Jishnu’s family. On Saturday, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran had criticised police for forcibly arresting Jishnu’s relatives.
CPI’s mouthpiece Janayugam also published an editorial on Sunday criticising the CPI(M)’s stand in the Jishnu case.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan continued to defend police action against Jishnu’s family despite widespread criticism. He said, “Some crooked people are trying to attack the police, that will not be allowed. Sincere police officers will be protected by government.”