CPI(M) leader named as accused in criminal case surrenders

CPI(M) leader Zakir Hussain, who has been named as an accused in a criminal case, today surrendered before the investigating officer here, putting an end to the uncertainty over his arrest three days after Kerala High Court denied him anticipatory bail.
Hussain, who appeared before the investigating officer Shihabudeen near the office of the Kochi City Police Commissioner here this morning, was produced before a magistrate court in Kalamassery which sent him to 14-day judicial custody.
He has been lodged in Kakkanad district jail.
The state government opposed his bail plea in the court, citing that he is an influential personality and his name figures in the rowdy list of the police.

The police, however, did not seek his custody.
His arrest was recorded on the charges of threatening a man over a business deal.

Hussain was produced before the court after his statement was recorded by the investigation team and all necessary formalities were completed, police said.
Earlier, considering his anticipatory bail plea, the High Court had on Monday asked Hussain to surrender before the investigating officer within a week.
Justice P Ubaid had directed the police to produce Hussain before the magistrate court after interrogation and said the magistrate should consider his bail application in accordance with law.
Hussain had moved the High Court after a sessions court dismissed his anticipatory bail application.

A case under non-bailable section has been registered by police on a complaint sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by victim Jube Poulose of Ernakulam here.
In his complaint, Poulose had alleged that he was forcibly taken to a place by a gang, where Hussain threatened him with dire consequences over the business deal.
CPI(M) has removed Hussain from the post of party's Kalamassery Area Secretary.
He has, however, been retained as member of the party's district committee.