The wife of an Idukki businessman who was found hanging on Friday after a CPI(M) controlled cooperative refused to withdraw his bond against the former regional secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on charges of inciting suicide for the Communist Party of India (Marxist). VR Saji and three bank officials. Sabu Thomas’ wife Marykutty has alleged that he threatened her before her death.
Speaking to mediapersons in Kattappana on Sunday, Merikutty alleged that former bank chairman and CPI(M) leader VR Saji, bank secretary Reji, and employees Benoy and Sujamol were behind her husband’s suicide. 50-year-old Sabu Thomas of Kattapana Nagar was found dead in the premises of Rural Cooperative Development Society here on Friday.
After Sabu tried to withdraw money from his account for one and a half years, he was subjected to mental torture regarding depositing and withdrawing the amount. Bank secretaries and other officials constantly delayed our withdrawal requests. They left us waiting for hours in front of the bank to withdraw our money. The bank tried to block our withdrawal requests on all occasions,” Marykutty alleged.
“The immediate impetus behind the suicide was mental and physical assault by bank officials and a threatening phone call by VR Saji,” said Marykutty. After the threat, Sabu had to suffer serious mental torture.
“Currently, we believe in the current SIT investigation. If the team fails to find the truth, we will demand a crime branch level probe. The culprits should be brought to book,” she said.
Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine met the family of Sabu Thomas on Sunday. After the visit, Mr. Augustine said the government would ensure a fair investigation into the death of Sabu Thomas. “The special team will investigate all aspects of the incident,” Mr Augustine said. Meanwhile, during Mr. Augustine’s visit, Youth Congress workers hoisted black flags in Kattappana.
Independent MLA PV Anwar met the family of Sabu Thomas on Sunday. Mr. Anwar alleged that the death of Sabu Thomas indicates the current state of cooperative banks in the province. ‘The CPI(M) has changed the cooperative banks and institutions under the rule of gangsters. The Karuvannur bank-model scam took place in different parts of the state,” Mr. Anwar said.
Idukki District Superintendent of Police TK Vishnu Pradeep said a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Kattappana Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Kumar will investigate the vendor suicide incident. “The SIT will conduct a detailed investigation covering all aspects. The team will investigate the threat from the phone call,” said Mr. Pradeep.
published – December 22, 2024 at 10:22 am IST