A group of SFI and DYFI members were caught on camera attacking a bar receptionist and forcibly snatching money from him. The incident occurred on Thursday night at Thodupuzha in Idukki district of Kerala. Police sources said that a group of four people including Mathews Kollappally, who is the Students Federation of India (SFI) Thodupuzha area committee member, and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Muthalakkodam Area committee joint secretary, was behind the attack.
CCTV visuals at the hotel captured the attack, said police.
The four-member group reached Hotel Sisilia bar hotel at Idukki road in Thodupuzha at 1.45 am and asked for liquor from the receptionist. But the hotel official denied the request. Then the group proceeded to assault the receptionist Boney and forcibly snatched Rs 22,000 from his pocket.
“The receptionist opened the door when he heard repeated knocks on it. After opening the door, Mathews Kollappally and others asked him to supply foreign liquor. But the receptionist said that the bar of the hotel was closed and refused their request. Then the four forcibly entered the hotel and snatched money from the receptionist,” the complaint states.
“We registered a case under Section 394 (voluntary causing hurt in committing robbery) based on the statement of the hotel receptionist. As per his statement, the hotel official said four persons were involved in the attack. We need to identify the accused. We will record the arrest of the accused soon. The probe is ongoing while the accused are absconding,” said Thodupuzha SI.
Meanwhile, DYFI Idukki district President P P Sumesh has said that the party has taken action against the DYFI worker concerned. “The party expelled Mathews Kollappally and one other party member who led the attack on the receptionist, with immediate effect. The party expelled him from primary membership and DYFI Muthalakkodam Area committee joint secretary post,” he said.
Mathews Kollappally was a Kerala Students Union (KSU) leader, who recently joined DYFI. The party will not support any accused in connection with this case, Sumesh added.