Muslim League MLA booked in twin-murder case

The Kerala Police on Monday named PK Basheer, an MLA of the Muslim League, second largest constituent of the Congress-led ruling UDF, as sixth accused in a case pertaining to the murder of two brothers on Sunday night at Kuniyil near Areacode in Muslim-majority Malappuram district. There are a total of 11 accused in the case.

Basheer has been charged with conspiracy and incitement to murder on the basis of a complaint filed by the relatives of the murdered men. Basheer had made an “inflammatory” speech earlier this month in which he allegedly called for taking revenge on the two men, accused in a case related to the murder of Hateeq Rahman (35), a Muslim League activist, on January 5.

The two brothers, Kulakkadan Azad and Kulakkadan Aboobacker, were attacked by a gang of masked men at Kuniyil at about 8.30 pm Sunday. Though the two were admitted to the hospital, they succumbed to the hack injuries after midnight. The police have already seized the car used by the gang to carry out the attack.

Azad and Aboobacker, out on bail, were standing at New Bazaar Kuniyil where Hateeq Rahman was murdered when the gang of masked men attacked them. Hateeq was stabbed to death on January 5 in a clash that followed a dispute between two football clubs.

Basheer had made his “inflammatory” speech allegedly laden with open threats against the accused in Hateeq Rahman murder case, on June 3. The murdered brothers’ relatives said in the complaint that the MLA’s role in the twin murders could not be ruled out. They alleged that Basheer had played a part in the conspiracy for the murders.

Basheer, a first-time MLA of the Muslim League from Eranad constituency in Malappuram district, said in Thiruvananthapuram where he was attending the Assembly session, said he was ready to face any probe. “All I want is this: The truth should come out. I will cooperate with any probe,” said Basheer, son of late Muslim League leader Seethi Haji.

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