Kerala CPI-M legislator's anticipatory bail plea rejected

Kochi, Feb 13 (IANS) CPI-M legislator James Mathew, who has been accused of abetting suicide, could be arrested as the Kerala High Court Friday rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

Speaking to IANS, Mathew said that he has not thought of going in appeal to the division bench..

"Let the law take its course," he said to queries if he thought he would be arrested.

Mathew, who represents the Thaliparampa assembly constituency in Kannur district, has been named accused in the case of suicide of E.P.Sasidharan, a headmaster of Tagore Vidyanikethan Higher Secondary School at Thaliparampa.

Sasidharan, who ended his life by hanging himself to death in a hotel room in Kasargode Dec 14 last year, had left a suicide note blaming Mathew and one of his school colleagues as the two people are responsible for his death.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party had taken up this issue in a big way in Kannur and had organised various protests against Mathew. A people's committee also has been formed.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist legislator approached the high court early this month after a lower court in Kannur rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

Speaking to IANS, Thaliparampa Deputy Superintendent of Police Surendran, said as per the law, Mathew can be arrested.

"At the same time he can file a petition before the division bench of the high court or even the Supreme Court. The case is being looked by a junior officer to me," he said.