Kannur, Jun 19 - In a setback to the CPI(M), a court here today rejected an anticipatory bail plea of a local party leader, wanted by police for alleged conspiracy behind the murder of Marxist rebel and RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan.

P K Kunhananthan, CPI(M) area committee member from Panur, has been absconding for over month after police started a search for him on the suspicion that he had played a key role in plotting the murder of Chandrasekharan at Onjiyam near Vatakara.

When his bail plea came up before District and Sessions Judge Shercy, prosecution opposed it stating that the CPI(M) functionary was suspected to be the mastermind behind the killing, and granting him bail would send a wrong signal.

The defense, however, held that Kunhananthan was being dragged into the case and he was keeping away fearing that he would be tortured if arrested by police.

The judge rejected the bail plea after hearing both sides. PTI