Kallikkodan Ragesh Arrested by Tamil Nadu Police Is Close Aide of K Sudhakaran

Kannur: Kallikkodan Ragesh, a Congress leader from Kannur and DCC General Secretary who was recently arrested by Tamil Nadu Police in connection with an illegal financial transaction case, has previously been involved in several controversies. Ragesh is a close associate of senior Congress leader and fomer KPCC president K Sudhakaran.

One of the most widely discussed incidents dates back to 2012, when Ragesh was arrested by the Valapattanam Police in a sand-smuggling case. Police had also seized the lorry used in the illegal transport of sand.

The arrest followed an incident in which two Youth Congress activists — Samad and Hameed — were caught while transporting sand illegally near the Valapattanam Railway Station. According to police, the duo attempted to flee after trying to run a lorry over officers, including Grade SI T P Rajan, who tried to stop the vehicle.

Police later tracked down and arrested the suspects. Ragesh subsequently arrived at the station demanding their release. When Sub-Inspector V K Siju refused, stating that legal action was unavoidable, Ragesh threatened the officer and attempted to assault him. Police then placed Ragesh in the station lock-up.

Soon after the arrest, K Sudhakaran reached the police station around 11 am, accompanied by nearly 100 supporters and local political leaders, including Satheesan Pacheni, K M Shaji, A P Abdullakutty, K Surendran and Rijil Makkutty.

Reports at the time said the group surrounded the police station while Sudhakaran entered the SI’s office and threatened him, warning that he could have the officer removed from service within a week. The MP reportedly remained at the station for nearly three hours, demanding the release of Ragesh.

Sudhakaran also contacted the then Kannur district police chief, Rahul R Nair, over the phone. When the officer attempted to defend the actions of the sub-inspector, Sudhakaran reacted angrily and ended the conversation.

Ragesh later submitted a complaint claiming that he had been assaulted by police. After reportedly contacting the then Chief Minister and Home Minister seeking action against the SI, Sudhakaran took Ragesh out of the police station.

Despite the incident being widely reported by news channels, police initially delayed registering a case against Sudhakaran. Later that night, following public protests, the Kerala Police registered a case under Section 117 for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official duties.

A similar controversy had earlier occurred on April 16, 2009, during the Lok Sabha election day, when a group accused in a quotation case arrested by Kannur Town Police Station were released following intervention by Sudhakaran and his supporters.