Late CPI leader’s driver, accomplice booked on charge of issuing death threat

The North Paravur police have registered a case against two persons, including the driver of late Communist Party of India (CPI) leader P. Raju, for allegedly issuing a death threat against a CPI Ernakulam district executive committee member and indulging in a misinformation campaign on social media.

The accused are Dhanesh, the driver of P. Raju, and his accomplice, Vidhul Sankar. The case was registered based on a petition lodged with the District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural) and the Munambam Deputy Superintendent of Police by Divin Dinakaran, a CPI Ernakulam district executive committee member and son of the current party district secretary, K.M. Dinakaran. The case was registered on Thursday (March 6, 2025).

According to the first information report (FIR), the accused threatened to hire goons to kill the petitioner, his family, the CPI Mandalam secretary, and party workers, holding them responsible for the demotion of late P. Raju from the party district executive to the branch level. The alleged incident took place near the house of the second accused at Valuvally in North Paravur on Wednesday. The petitioner also alleged that the accused had indulged in a misinformation campaign on social media.

The case has become the latest chapter in the infighting within the CPI in Ernakulam between two factions—one aligned with the present district leadership and the other led by the late P. Raju. Raju was demoted over alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as district secretary. However, the late leader had challenged the decision before the party control commission, which recommended that he be reinstated in an appropriate committee. It was at this point that Raju, who was undergoing medical treatment, passed away. His family and party members owing allegiance to him alleged that intra-party harassment had caused his death.