The Kalady police have arrested four activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in connection with a recent protest at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, during which a symbolic funeral of Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Ciza Thomas was allegedly staged.

The arrested are Mebin Jose, 24, Basil Scaria, 29, Vijeesh, 23, and Yadhu Krishnan, 19. Their arrests have been recorded in two separate cases registered in connection with the incident on Thursday (August 13, 2026). The first case was registered on Thursday based on a complaint by a police officer deployed on the campus during the protest, while the second FIR was registered on Sunday (August 16, 2026) following a complaint by Ms. Thomas. Eighteen students and other identifiable SFI members have been booked based on the V-C’s complaint. The accused allegedly manhandled and defamed the V-C and damaged her car, according to the FIR.

The other case pertains to allegedly obstructing the police from discharging their duties. The FIR alleges that the activists assaulted police personnel who used minor force to disperse them.