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Kannur, Oct 18 (IANS) A sitting councilor of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was arrested on Saturday for snatching a gold chain from a 77-year-old woman in Kuthuparamba, Kannur.
The accused PP Rajesh, who is councilor of the fourth ward of Kuthuparamba Municipality, was taken into custody on Saturday after a two-day police investigation.
According to the police, Rajesh has confessed to the crime.
The incident took place on Thursday afternoon when the victim Janaki was alone at home.
The front door of the house was left open.
While she was working in the kitchen, an unknown man wearing a helmet suddenly entered, snatched the gold chain from her neck and ran away.
Hearing his scream, the neighbors reached home, but the thief had already fled.
Initially no one recognized the suspect, who had hidden his identity with a helmet.
The investigators relied on CCTV footage of nearby houses and shops to trace the vehicle used in the crime.
The crucial footage led them to sitting councilor Rajesh, shocking both the local community and political circles.
Kuthuparamba police said that the stolen gold chain has been recovered from the accused.
Janaki and her family members reached the police station and identified their chain and it was given back.
The case has sparked strong reaction locally, with residents expressing disbelief that an elected representative was involved in such a crime.
The incident comes at a politically sensitive time in Kannur district, which is considered a CPI-M stronghold.
Rajesh is currently in police custody and is expected to be produced in court soon.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused was involved in any other similar incident.
The arrest has sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties demanding strict action against the councilor and accountability from the ruling party.
–IANS
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