NRI Parayil Sajan committed suicide allegedly owing to the denial by the Anthoor Municipality in Kannur under the CPI(M) control, of an occupancy certificate for his newly-constructed convention centre.

What has put the CPI(M) in a tight spot is the accusation by Sajan’s wife that Sajan, a CPI(M) supporter, ended his life following the refusal of the occupancy certificate by Municipality chairperson P. K. Shyamala, who is the wife of senior party leader M V Govindan.

Grabbing the opportunity to grill the CPI(M)-led Government, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded that a case be registered against Shyamala for abetment to suicide. Chennithala also wanted sanction to be given to open the convention centre at the earliest.

It was the arrogance of the chairperson which caused the suicide, Chennithala charged. If such a shabby treatment could be meted out to a party supporter, the plight of ordinary people could well be imagined, Chennithala added.

The Opposition leader also wanted the issue to be probed by an officer of the Inspector General of Police and not by a DSP as has been decided now.

A crucial factor which forced the businessman to take his life is the factionalism plaguing the Kannur unit of the CPI(M). A faction is trying to protect Shyamala by blaming it all on a few municipal officials. However, another faction led by former CPI(M) Kannur district secretary, P. Jayarajan has criticized Shyamala for precipitating the crisis.

To add to the discomfiture of the CPI(M), the Kerala High Court has registered a case in connection with the NRI’s suicide.

A Division Bench strongly criticized the insensitivity of the Anthoor Municipality towards the NRI businessman. The Bench observed that “it was unfortunate to see an investor being pushed to the brink by the insensitive attitude of the regulatory authorities.”

“The State also needs to be concerned about the signal that will be sent to other prospective entrepreneurs who might be interested in investing in the State\s projects.”

Meanwhile, the special investigation team probing the issue would take the statement of Shyamala, who has offered to step down following intense pressure on her. A final decision in the matter would be taken by the CPI(M) State Committee which is set to discuss the matter which has shaken the party to the core. (IPA Service)