Student killing : Kerala police to seek legal opinion on invoking UAPA

Kochi: The police probing the 'brutal' killing of an SFI leader on Thursday decided to seek legal opinion on whether the case allegedly involving activists of an Islamic outfit attracts provisions under anti-terror law.

Kerala Police Chief Loknath Behera said, "there is no doubt about conspiracy" in the killing of second year degree student of Ernakulam Maharajas College, Abhimanyu, hailing from a backward Tamil tribal area in Idukki district.

The killers, allegedly workers of Popular Front of India (PFI) and its student wing Campus Front and political offshoot Social Democratic Party pf India (SDPI), had come from outside to attack SFI workers in the college campus, he said. 

"Whether the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) will be attracted or not, we will take the legal opinion," Behera told reporters here.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is reportedly probing the role of the PFI workers, involved in the hand chopping of a college professor few years ago, in the killing of Abhimanyu.

"The NIA Act, 2008 has conferred jurisdiction on the Agency over scheduled offences like UA(P) Act only," an NIA official said when asked about the reports. 

Four persons have been arrested for being allegedly involved in the killing. Some others have been taken into custody. Abhimanyu's family have alleged conspiracy in the incident.

Meanwhile, launching a statewide crackdown on activities of the PFI and its allied outfits, the police have detained its several workers after carrying out raids as part of the investigation in the case.

Police had on Wednesday carried out raids at the offices and residences of some leaders and workers of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in various parts of the state.