CPI-M leader denied anticipatory bail in murder case

Kochi, Feb 11: CPI-M leader P. Jayarajan was on Thursday denied anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court for the murder of RSS activist Kathirur Manoj, making imminent his arrest by the CBI. A former legislator of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the 63-year-old Jayarajan had been refused anticipatory bail thrice by a lower court, following which he approached the high court. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the murder case, vehemently opposed the anticipatory bail plea. High court judge Justice K.T. Shankaran upheld the CBI argument. The CBI counsel on Thursday said bail must be given as the case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Manoj was one of those accused of trying to kill Jayarajan in 1999. Manoj was in turn attacked by a seven-member gang on September 1, 2014, at Kathirur near Kannur. (IANS)