Kasargod Magistrate, who thrashed cops in Sullia, commits suicide

Kasargod, Nov 9: In a shocking development, a judicial magistrate, who had allegedly assaulted an auto-rickshaw driver and policemen in Sullia town of Dakshina Kannada district, has committed suicide in Kasargod on Wednesday.

V K Unnikrishnan, Judicial Magistrate First Class Kasargod, was found hanging at his residence in Vidyanagar at 10 am today, police sources said. He is survived by wife and two children.

A native of Trissur, 46-year-old Unnikrishnan was booked by Sullia police for his misbehaviour under the influence of alcohol in public on November 6.

On Monday, Dakshina Kannada police had written to Kerala high court registrar and Kasaragod court principal district judge seeking directions on the course of action to be taken against Unnikrishnan.

According to police, Unnikrishnan, arrived in Sullia by bus on November 6 after offering prayers at Kukke Subrahmanya temple and hired an auto-rickshaw. He said something in English to auto driver Aboobaker and then assaulted him.

The frightened driver then drove to the police station where Unnikrishnan assaulted constables and later the sub-inspector. On learning the accused was a magistrate, he was taken to the Traveller's Bungalow.

Cases under IPC sections 323, 341, 506, 332 and 353 for assault, voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from carrying out his duty and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty were registered on the same day.

Also Read: Judge booked for assaulting cops, auto-rickshaw driver after visiting temple