Kerala politician receives death threats
Chennithala warned against speaking unfavourably about jailed business magnate
ACongress party veteran and leader of the opposition in the Kerala assembly has received death threats, warning him against speaking unfavourably about jailed business magnate Mohammad Nisham.
The threat against Ramesh Chennithala comes just a few days after Nisham was back in the limelight, this time for allegedly using mobile phones and taking the help of his company assistants while being transported by police to different places in connection with investigations.
Chennithala has complained to chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan that he has been getting threats through internet telephony from abroad over the past two days, warning him against talking “rubbish” about Nisham.
The threats are being made in the name of underworld don Ravi Poojari, the politician says.
Nisham is lodged in the Kannur jail in northern Kerala, after being convicted for the murder of a security guard, Chandrabose, 51, last year, apparently for a delay in opening the gate when Nisham arrived at an apartment building in an inebriated condition.
In his complaint to the chief minister, Chennithala said the latest of the threatening messages was received on his phone at 11.22pm on Sunday, warning of dire consequences to him and family members if he spoke ill of Nisham.
The message said, “Don’t talk rubbish about Mohammad Nisham or I will kill you or one of your family member [sic] — Don Ravi Poojari”.
Chennithala has requested the chief minister to “conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and take strong measures against the perpetrators”.
Nisham is accused of bribing jail officials and other government servants to ensure that he has a comfortable life in prison. He is allegedly conducting his beedi business from within the jail. His brother complained to police last week, alleging that Nisham was threatening him and other family members.
Three civil police officials were suspended from service last week after allegations surfaced that Nisham had free access to mobile phones even while being a prisoner.