Reports emerging from Vaduvanchal in Wayanad district have raised serious suspicion surrounding the death of retired Police Commanding Officer Ramankutty, who was found dead in a well in the early hours of 22 November. The well, according to locals, “was not that deep”, while a 25 kg block of rock was tied to his body, a detail that has intensified doubts about the circumstances of his death. Ramankutty was a recipient of the Chief Minister’s Vishista Seva Medal.
According to accounts from the locality, around 60 armed individuals, alleged to be cadre of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of the outlawed Popular Front of India, encircled and attacked Ramankutty’s house on the night of 21 November. Ramankutty reportedly fled through the back door amidst the assault. A day later, his body was discovered inside the well on his property.
Hindu Aikyavedi organisation has described the death as “mysterious” and alleged that it is a case of murder, not suicide. The group claims miscreants had attacked Ramankutty over accusations that he had misbehaved with a girl on a bus journey the previous week. One of the attackers was allegedly Faizal, an employee at the Batheri DySP office.
Despite repeated concerns raised by residents over the “anomalousness and abnormality” of the death, local Police have reportedly not initiated any probe into SDPI members and appear inclined to classify the incident as a suicide. Hindu Aikyavedi has warned that it will launch strong agitation if the case is closed without a proper investigation.
Letter to CM Flags Serious Allegations
Organiser has accessed a copy of a detailed letter sent by Renjith N.R., Ramankutty’s son-in-law, addressed to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (who also holds the Home portfolio), with copies sent to the State Police Chief and Additional DGP (Law and Order).
In the letter, Renjith recounts receiving a phone call on the night of November 21 informing him that some individuals had surrounded his father-in-law’s house. When he and his wife rushed to the spot, they found “about 60 armed people” blocking access to the house, shouting threats, and refusing to let them in. According to him, Faizal, wearing a police overcoat, was among them and allegedly attempted to manhandle him and his wife.
Renjith states he questioned the group about their accusations against Ramankutty, but they responded that he would “not be permitted to escape” and that nothing short of his death would satisfy them. During the confrontation, Renjith and his wife were allegedly assaulted.
Relatives of Ramankutty eventually intervened, pushing past the group to enter the house with Renjith. Inside, they found no trace of Ramankutty, and several attempts to reach him on his phone failed. A search continued through the night.
In the early hours of November 22, his mobile phone was found near the well behind the house. The phone’s location further raised suspicions. When the well was drained, the family discovered Ramankutty’s body inside, tied to a heavy stone.
Renjith’s letter expresses clear suspicion that Faizal and SDPI men were behind the death, arguing that their presence around the house that night left “no doubt”. He alleges that Faizal, an “active SDPI worker with a criminal mind”, had significant influence over police stations under the Batheri DySP’s jurisdiction. He claims Faizal skipped his official night duty on November 21, instead using WhatsApp to mobilise SDPI members for the attack.
The letter also names Shamnad, driver of the autorickshaw Shukriya and Ramankutty’s neighbour, as a relative of Faizal who allegedly helped guide the attackers to the house and made “necessary arrangements” for the operation.
Renjith concludes his letter with a formal request for an impartial and efficient investigation to ensure that Faizal and other alleged perpetrators are brought under the law.
It has been learnt by the Organiser team that local Hindu organisations are preparing to take up this matter seriously to ensure that justice prevails.
