Kerala mob attack: Malayalam actor’s teenage son left bleeding after assault

Dubai: Malayalam actor and theatre director Santhosh Keezhattoor has filed a police complaint after his teenage son and his friends were allegedly attacked near Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Taliparamba, Kannur.

According to media reports, the incident occurred on Thursday night as the boys were returning from a friend’s birthday celebration.

Santhosh’s 17-year-old son Yadhu and three of his friends were allegedly assaulted by a group of unidentified men without any provocation.

Speaking to Manorama News, the actor recalled receiving a distressing call from his son: “In his 17 years, I’ve never heard him cry like that. He said they were hitting him with helmets and begged me to come and rescue him.”

Actor recounts ordeal in emotional post

The actor later took to Facebook to express his anguish, revealing that his son and his friends were beaten, one of them struck with a helmet.

Santhosh also posted a photograph of one of the alleged attackers and urged police to take swift action.

“Even boys are not safe anymore,” he wrote. “These criminals must be brought to justice.”

'My son was shirtless, bleeding'

The actor described the horrific scene to Manorama News, saying: “Yadhu was shirtless, bleeding from his nose, and had bruises around his eyes. His friends were also hurt and stood there shaking in fear.”

He added that the mob reportedly thrashed the boys for allegedly damaging a school flex board — an accusation Santhosh disputes. “I checked the flex today. There isn’t a scratch on it.”

Key accused named

The police have registered an FIR against Patta Madathil Mahesh and seven others in connection with the assault. The charges include causing hurt with dangerous weapons, rioting, criminal intimidation, and wrongful restraint.

Three arrested, others still at large

Police on Friday arrested three of the accused — K Prajeesh, K Santhosh, and P Sreekanth — all residents of Trichambaram.

Mahesh, who allegedly hit the boys with a helmet, has not yet been apprehended.

Actor Santhosh Keezhattoor has also named Madathil Vallappil Shiju and Akshay K P in his complaint, alleging all the accused are affiliated with a political party.

Assault triggered by stone-hit flex board

According to the complaint and media reports, the attack was triggered when one of the boys accidentally struck a school flex board with a stone while waiting near Chinmaya Vidyalaya around 9:30 pm on Wednesday. Two men from the nearby Vivekananda Vayanashala — reportedly an RSS-BJP stronghold — allegedly confronted and attacked the boys before summoning more people.

Actor alleges police bias

The actor accused the local sub-inspector of siding with the assailants and obstructing their access to the hospital. “Even when the patrol team arrived, they treated the victims as suspects,” he told reporters, demanding protection and swift justice for his son and the other teenagers.

Counterclaims rejected

The police confirmed that some of the accused have claimed the boys attacked them first, but no cross-case has been registered. “Our focus remains on the original complaint,” an officer said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

Keezhattoor continues to push for strict action, saying, “These attackers should not go unpunished.”