Expelled Congress leader Rahul Mamkoottathil has taken a dig at the Kerala government’s decision to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the assault on Youth Congress workers during the Navakerala Sadassu in Alappuzha. In a Facebook post, he questioned which Shoukkath Ali has been assigned to lead the investigation.

The SIT was announced in the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed UDF government. Alappuzha Crime Branch SP Shoukkath Ali has been tasked with overseeing the investigation, with Baiju Paulose as the investigating officer. The team has been directed to complete the probe within a month and submit a progress report in 15 days.

Rahul’s pointed question referenced Shoukkath Ali’s celebrated past — when he was the DYSP who led the dramatic raid on Mudakkozhi Mala, arresting Kodi Suni and other CPI(M) criminals linked to the TP murder case. Rahul noted that the same officer was subsequently sidelined for 10 years by the Pinarayi Vijayan government.

“Which Shoukkath Ali? The one who raided Mudakkozhi Mala, caught Kodi Suni and the CPI(M) criminal gang, the Shoukkath Ali who was harassed by the Vijayan government for 10 years for that very act?” Rahul wrote.

The December 2023 incident during the Navakerala Sadassu saw former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s security personnel assaulting Youth Congress protesters. Although the court ordered a re-investigation, the previous LDF government did not act on it for one and a half years. The UDF government’s immediate decision to order a re-probe has been welcomed by Congress workers.

Rahul Mamkoottathil, who was expelled from the Congress party, continues to comment on political developments. Many social media users responding to his post have called for his reinstatement into the party.