V.K. Nishad, a CPI(M) councillor sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to kill police by throwing a bomb, has caused controversy by allegedly breaking parole rules. Nishad was on emergency parole for his father's illness. Parole rules clearly ban political activities. Yet, Nishad was spotted at a CPI(M) protest in Payyannur, Kannur, against expelled party leader V. Kunhikrishnan on Monday. Video clips proved his attendance at the rally. Sources say he returned to Kannur Central Jail only after the protest ended. The violation has caused public outcry and calls for strict action. Nishad was elected as a councillor to the Payyanur municipal council even while in jail. A court sentenced him in November 2025. He got emergency parole on December 26 to care for his father, who needed knee surgery. This early parole grant itself had sparked controversy.