The probe ordered the SI in Keralam’s Thiruvananthapuram to threaten SFI leaders

DYFI activists march to Inspector Gokul Gopan’s Cantonment Police Station residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday against the alleged attack on students of the university’s men’s hostel.

Police have ordered an inquiry into the alleged threat issued by Cantonment sub-inspector Gokul over phone to SFI Thiruvananthapuram district secretary Nandan amid escalating tension between the CPI(M)-SFI and the police in the capital.

The investigation was reportedly ordered by ADGP (law and order) P. Vijayan after an audio recording of an alleged conversation between Mr. Gokul and Mr. Nandan surfaced on Saturday. The ADGP directed the city police commissioner to conduct an inquiry and submit a report, besides seeking an explanation from the SI.

Mr. Nandan alleged that Mr. Gokul called him on Saturday morning and threatened to catch him from the CPI(M) party office if the SFI went ahead with the proposed march to the SI headquarters. In an audio clip released by SFÚ, a voice allegedly belonging to Mr. Gokul is heard telling Mr. Nandan that he will come to the party office and book him if the student organization continues the march.

Mr. Nandan told the media that it was the police who attacked the students without provocation during the clash at the University Male Hostel on Wednesday evening. Following the incident, SFI leaders met Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and the DGP on Friday, expressing concerns over the safety of students and seeking disciplinary action against Mr. Gokul and other police personnel. The SFÚ subsequently announced a march to the SI headquarters on Saturday evening.

The latest allegation comes a day after CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district secretary and MLA V. Joy made remarks against Mr. Gokul during a party march to the secretariat. Tension between the CPI(M)-SFI and the police intensified after a confrontation at the University Male Hostel on Wednesday evening.

Published – 03 October 2026 20:00 IST