3 Arrested, 2 kg Of Ganja Seized From Polytechnic Hostel In Kochi; Political Row Erupts

Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) PV Baby stated that the raid revealed the involvement of both insiders and outsiders in drug peddling.

As part of the investigation, police are tracking individuals who frequently visit the hostel and campus.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

In a major drug bust, the Kochi police seized 2 kg of ganja from the men’s hostel of Government Polytechnic College, Kalamassery, leading to the arrest of three students. The raid, conducted on Thursday night, was based on a tip-off about ganja being stored ahead of Holi celebrations.

Details Of Raid & Arrests

The primary accused, Akash (21), a native of Kulathupuzha, Kollam, was booked under a separate FIR after police recovered 1.909 kg of ganja from his hostel room, reported On Manorama. Two other students, Adithyan (21) from Haripad, Alappuzha, and Abhiraj (21) from Karunagappally, Kollam, were also arrested after authorities seized 9.70 grams of ganja from them. While Akash was remanded in judicial custody, Adithyan and Abhiraj were released on station bail, as per a report on PTI.

Police suspect the contraband was intended for both sale and personal use. Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) PV Baby stated that the raid revealed the involvement of both insiders and outsiders in drug peddling. Former students and external individuals were also reportedly part of the network.

"Both insiders and outsiders are involved in drug peddling, with former students and external individuals playing a key role," Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) P V Baby said, as per the agency.

As part of the investigation, police are tracking individuals who frequently visit the hostel and campus. In addition to the drugs, two mobile phones and identity cards were seized from the suspects.

Political Controversy Over Arrest of SFI Leader

The arrest of Abhiraj R, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) college union general secretary, has triggered a political storm. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan alleged that SFI union leaders were involved in the drug racket accusing the Left-affiliated student organisation of enabling drug supply in hostels and college campuses.

However, the SFI defended Abhiraj, stating that no contraband was recovered from his possession and that he had no history of drug use. SFI Kalamassery area president Devarajan countered the allegations, claiming that the prime accused, Akash, along with two others who fled the campus, were members of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the Congress’ student wing.

Abhiraj, after securing station bail, maintained that he was being unfairly targeted. Thrikkakara ACP clarified that the police did not consider the students’ political affiliations while conducting the investigation.