Published Nov 02, 2026 | 12:56 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2026 | 12:56 PM
The visuals purportedly show Congress leader Sreenadevi Kunjamma and Youth Congress leader Fenny Ninan among those involved in the commotion.
A four-month-old incident at the Adoor police station has snowballed into a major controversy following the release of CCTV footage showing Congress leaders and workers allegedly storming the premises and confronting a man held in police custody.
The footage, which surfaced on Saturday, captures the events of July 11, when a group of more than 20 people gathered at the station late at night.
The visuals purportedly show Congress leader Sreenadevi Kunjamma and Youth Congress leader Fenny Ninan among those involved in the commotion. Kunjamma, a member of the Pathanamthitta district panchayat, is also seen approaching YouTuber Rajan Joseph inside the lock-up.
Joseph had been arrested in Ernakulam on a complaint filed by Kunjamma, alleging that he had circulated defamatory content about her on social media.
The situation reportedly escalated when Youth Congress workers intercepted the police vehicle bringing him to Adoor. The group allegedly entered the station and assaulted him. A police officer was also injured in the ensuing confrontation.
Though the Adoor police registered a case against 20 people, the absence of visible progress in identifying the accused or pursuing the case has now come under scrutiny.
The footage has prompted intervention at the highest level of the police administration. Following the controversy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala sought a report from the State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar.
Chandrasekhar further sought a detailed report from the Pathanamthitta District Police Chief on the incident, particularly the circumstances under which Kunjamma was allowed to approach a person inside the lock-up.
District Police Chief R Anand has ordered a Deputy Superintendent of Police-level inquiry. The probe will examine the conduct of the officers present at the station and whether they failed to prevent the intrusion or extended support to the group.
Chennithala, meanwhile, said there was no dereliction of duty by the Adoor police. He confirmed that he had spoken to the State Police Chief and sought a report. The government would decide on further action based on the findings, he said.
The controversy has also triggered a political confrontation, with CPI(M) leaders alleging that the police had protected Kunjamma and those accompanying her.
CPI(M) area secretary S Manoj questioned how a person brought to the station for protection could be confronted inside the lock-up in the presence of police personnel.
Kunjamma, a former CPI leader who joined the Congress ahead of the previous local body elections, has been at the centre of a political dispute between the CPI(M) and Congress.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
