Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district secretary P. Jayarajan surrendered before the Town Police here on Tuesday in a case registered against him and a group of party activists in connection with the assault on Asianet news channel reporter K. Shajahan here on Monday.
Mr. Jayarajan, MLA, appeared before Sub-Inspector P.R. Manoj here at around 1 p.m. to surrender in the case registered by the police in connection with the manhandling of Mr. Shajahan immediately after the conclusion of the shooting of an election-related public debate programme at the Town Square here.
After recording his arrest, the police released him on bail on execution of two sureties. The police said that Mr. Jayarajan was the first accused in the case registered under various sections of the IPC following a complaint lodged by Mr. Shajahan.
Mr. Shajahan was allegedly roughed up by a group of CPI(M) activists led by Mr. Jayarajan, who was one of the participant in the programme hosted by Asianet. Party activists were allegedly provoked by his question on the party's action against the former party district secretary, P. Sasi, in connection with a complaint of alleged misbehaviour.
Mr. Shajahan had also been reportedly threatened by the party leader over phone saying that he was a stooge of the party's enemies.
The incident drew widespread condemnation. Mr. Jayarajan denied that he had manhandled Mr. Shajahan. He alleged that the reporter behaved in a partisan manner during the debate. He told reporters outside the police station that he always respected journalists. However, there were bad elements among journalists, he added.
