A former investigating officer in the Muhammad Fazal murder case in Kerala said the CPI(M) was hostile to the young victim as he had attracted young Muslim men from the party to join the National Development Front (NDF).

“I was aware of it right from the beginning,” said former DSP K. Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan, who probed the 2006 murder in the initial stage, has now pointed fingers at CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In an interview, he said Kodiyeri, who was the then home minister, intervened to hush up the case as it became evident that the probe was closing in on the CPI(M) cadres. Excerpts from the interview:

How did Kodiyeri intervene?

I had collected evidence that proved Fazal was murdered as per a CPI(M) decision. The party had tried to defend itself right from the beginning. However, I was determined to carry out the probe without yielding to any pressure. I explained my stance to the 20-plus officers in the special investigating team. But Kodiyeri directly called me on the 10th day and asked me to close the inquiry as it became clear that the CPI(M) cadres could not be spared. I did ask him why I'm being shifted out of the probe. He didn't reply to that, but the DGP's message followed, telling me that I'm no more in charge of the probe.

What about the allegation that the party tried to divert the probe?

They did all they could to weaken the will power and courage of my officers. Their wives and children were threatened at their homes, with armed men warning that they will not be allowed to live. They would never tell you that you will be murdered. That's their style. As the pressure mounted, I was isolated in the team. Valsaraja Kurup, who had provided key evidence in the case, was murdered, and a tale was stitched up that the 'blade mafia' finished him.

I was brutally assaulted by the CPI(M)-DYFI workers when I was posted as DSP, Taliparamba. I was under treatment for a-year-and-a-half. Not a single soul from the police force came to visit me. A false case was foisted against me. I was conferred with IPS only eight months before my retirement. The government not only refused to issue me an appointment order, but also proceeded against me. I'm planning to approach the Supreme Court for justice. My life is in misery.

What prompted the current revelations?

I was always willing to tell the truth. I was the one who set up an SFI unit at St. Thomas College, Palai, Kerala. That's my background. The CPI(M) activists in Kannur are scary. They're the ones who destroyed my life. My children are yet to complete their studies. I have a debt of Rs 30 lakh as home loan. I'm surviving with the help of relatives. I had met chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking my pension and other benefits. His words were harsh. I felt like I was driven away.