Congress MLA I.C. Balakrishnan Arrested in High-Profile Abetment to Suicide Case

Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad), January 25, 2025: A special police team arrested I.C. Balakrishnan, Congress MLA from Sulthan Bathery, in connection with the abetment to suicide case involving the deaths of former Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) treasurer N.M. Vijayan and his son Jijesh. After three days of questioning, the arrest was carried out by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sulthan Bathery) K.K. Abdul Shareef. Mr. Balakrishnan was subsequently released on bail.

The case has cast a shadow over the Congress leadership in Wayanad, as two other senior leaders, DCC President N.D. Appachan and former DCC treasurer K.K. Gopinathan, were previously questioned and arrested as part of the investigation. All three individuals had secured anticipatory bail from the Principal Sessions Court in Kalpetta.

Key Allegations and Legal Context

The police have named Mr. Balakrishnan as the primary accused in the case, registered under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which prescribes imprisonment for up to ten years.

Before his death, 78-year-old Vijayan reportedly penned six suicide notes addressed to various Congress leaders and the police. The letters alleged systemic corruption within the party, accusing several leaders of accepting bribes for job placements in cooperative banks affiliated with the Congress. Among those named were Mr. Balakrishnan and Mr. Appachan.

Tragic Incident and Financial Distress

On December 24, 2024, Vijayan and his son Jijesh, 38, were discovered in critical condition at their residence after allegedly consuming poison. Both succumbed to their injuries at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on December 27. Vijayan, a former president of the Sulthan Bathery Grama Panchayat, and his son had reportedly been under severe financial strain due to alleged monetary demands made by party leaders.

Investigation Developments

The investigation team has conducted raids at the Wayanad DCC office and the residence of K.K. Gopinathan, recovering financial documents for further scrutiny. These documents are expected to shed light on the financial transactions linked to the allegations of bribery.

This high-profile case has raised questions about the integrity of local Congress leadership in Wayanad and the larger issue of corruption within political institutions. Further developments in the investigation are eagerly awaited as public scrutiny intensifies.