Arrested Kerala MLA P.V. Anvar moves court for bail

Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar arrested after protests over tribal youth's death, seeks bail amid opposition criticism.

Nilambur’s Independent MLA P.V. Anvar, who was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Sunday (January 5, 2025) night, moved his bail application at the Judicial First Class Magistrate court at Nilambur, Malappuram, Kerala, on Monday (January 6, 2025).

The court has sought a detailed report from the police as a precondition to consider the bail application. The police are expected to give their report later in the day.

Mr. Anvar was arrested from his house at Othai, near Edavanna, Malappauram, around 9.45 p.m. on Sunday. He was produced before the magistrate after completing the medical formalities around midnight.

The police slapped several charges against him, including destruction of public property under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act, which is a non-bailable offence. The police told the judge that Mr. Anvar was involved in several cases. The magistrate sent him to the Central Prison and Correctional Home at Thavanur.

Mr. Anvar’s supporters Kunhu Mohammed, Sudheer Punnappala, Shoukath and Panamaram Mustafa too were arrested and remanded.

It was the death of a Cholanaikar tribal youth named Mani from Mancheeri hamlet inside Karimpuzha National Park, Karulai, in an elephant attack on Saturday night that triggered a series of protests under the leadership of Mr. Anvar on Sunday.

The protestors of the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK) broke into the Nilambur North Divisional Forest Office and destroyed furniture and lights. The police said property worth ₹35,000 was destroyed. Mr. Anvar had led the protest, accusing the forest staff and the police of lack of promptness in responding to the murderous elephant attack.