Video of Congress leaders creating ruckus at Adoor police station sparks political row

Sreenadevi Kunjamma | Photo Credit: th-online Administrator

The controversy triggered by former CPI leader Sreenadevi Kunjamma’s switch to the Congress ahead of the previous local body elections in Keralam appears far from over. Months after the Adoor police booked 20 persons for allegedly attempting to assault YouTuber Rajan Joseph while he was being brought to the police station in a defamation case, video footage showing Ms. Kunjamma and Youth Congress leader Fenny Ninan creating a ruckus at the station surfaced on Saturday (October 31, 2026).

The visuals, which have gone viral on social media, show a mob of over 20 people camping at the station between 10:15 pm and 12 am on July 11, even as the police stood by without taking any action. The group barged into the station and assaulted a suspect who had been taken into police custody. At one point, Ms. Kunjamma, currently an elected member of the Pathanamthitta district panchayat, is seen directly confronting Mr. Joseph, who was lodged in the lock-up.

Following the incident, the Adoor police booked a case against 20 persons in connection with the assault, in which at least one police officer sustained injuries. The police, however, did not initiate any action or even identify any of the accused, triggering allegations of political high-handedness.

Fresh ammunition for CPI(M)

The leaked footage, meanwhile, has given fresh ammunition to the CPI(M), which has been locked in a bitter war of words with Ms. Kunjamma and other Congress leaders over their alleged association with expelled Congress leader Rahul Mamkoottathil. CPI(M) area secretary S. Manoj has accused the police of protecting Ms. Kunjamma and the workers of her party.

“Police officers are in a helpless state. At least they must ensure the safety of their fellow personnel. Mr. Joseph was rescued from the gang and brought inside the station, yet the police allowed Ms. Kunjamma to approach him inside the lockup,” he said.

Holding that attacking a police station between 11 pm and 12 am “is unheard of” in Keralam, he also noted that the police’s claim that they are unable to identify the culprits, exposes their bias.

Responding to allegations, Ms.Kunjamma, however, said she had gone to the station as part of the procedure to identify the accused.“The police themselves informed me that Rajan Joseph had been arrested. I went to the station as part of the procedure to identify the accused. I entered the station and went up to the lock-up. I only asked him, ‘Are you doing well, brother?’ He is 20 years older than me. I did not threaten him,” Ms Kunjamma said.

She alleged that CPI(M) leaders in Adoor had stooped to the level of supporting Mr. Joseph, whom she accused of insulting women.

Published - October 31, 2026 07:16 pm IST