Background

Usman Melethil is a Communist leader from Kerala. He was arrested on September 14, 2021, from Pattikad in Malappuram district of Kerala by the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS). According to police theory, he fled the scenes when Pantheerankavu police tried to catch him during the arrest of student leaders Thwaha Fasal (23) and Alan Shuhaib (21) on November 1, 2019.

Charges and Allegations

According to the police, Allan and Thwaha were huddled together on the veranda of a shop at Pantheerankavu when they were nabbed while Usman managed to run away. Police and NIA had alleged that they had seized objectionable, printed and written materials from the two accused that were published by CPI (Maoist). It was also alleged that the trio had attended various conspiracy meetings along with other underground part-time and full-time members of CPI (Maoist).

A case was registered by the police in connection with the case on November 1, 2019 at Pantheerankavu Police station as Crime No 507/2019. The case was registered under sections 20, 38 and 39 of UAPA. Another case was filed by NIA as RC 04/2019/NIA/KOC on December 18, 2019.

Usman is accused in 10 other cases registered during the period from 2007 to 2016 in Kasargod, Kannur, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Malappuram, including 3 UAPA cases.

Current Status

He was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the ATS who is probing the Pantheerankavu UAPA case. He was denied bail by the Kerala High court on June 1, 2022.