LDF independent legislator Jaleel, MYL leader Firoz spar over arrest of latter’s brother

Left Independent legislator K.T. Jaleel on Monday sought to put Muslim Youth League (MYL) president P.K. Firoz on the defensive over the arrest of his brother P.K. Bujair for allegedly roughing up police officers investigating a suspected drug deal.

Speaking to reporters in Malappuram, Mr. Jaleel attempted to weaponise the arrest against the MYL leader by stating that Mr. Bujair’s arrest had cast serious doubts on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)-affiliated youth organisation’s much-touted anti-narcotics campaign.

He alleged that Mr. Bujair had assaulted officers who arrived to question him for his alleged contact with another youth held in custody over suspicion of drug peddling on Sunday. (Subsequently, the Kunnamangalam police arrested Mr. Bujair on charges of assaulting public servants on duty under Sections 132 and voluntarily causing hurt under Section  121 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), respectively. So far, the police have not slapped any drug charges against Mr. Bujair.)

Mr. Jaleel demanded that Mr. Firoz explain why he did not inform the police about his brother’s “involvement” with drug traffickers.

He recalled that Mr. Firoz had demanded that the then Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary, the late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, quit public life following the arrest of the latter’s son Bineesh Kodiyeri on drug trafficking-related money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate in 2020. Mr. Jaleel urged Mr. Firoz to practise what he professed and quit his MYL post.

Mr. Firoz denied that he had demanded Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s resignation. He said the police had contacted Mr. Bujair after they found the latter’s WhatsApp communication with Riyaz Thodukeyil, the youth detained on suspicion of drug trafficking, concerning.

“The police let off Mr. Thodukeyil with CPI(M) leaders from the local police station, while Mr. Bujair was remanded in judicial custody. I hold no public office. So Mr. Jaleel’s demand for my resignation has no merit,” he said.