Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan's Security Personnel; Questions SIT's Attempt-to-Murder Charge

Alappuzha: In a significant setback to the SIT constituted by the UDF government, the Alappuzha District Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to five security personnel attached to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a case alleging assault on Youth Congress workers.

The court observed that the charge of attempt to murder was not prima facie sustainable and granted relief to the accused gunmen.

The case relates to an incident during the Nava Kerala Bus Yatra, in which Youth Congress leaders allegedly sustained injuries after approaching the bus as part of a protest. Following the UDF government's assumption of office, the charges in the case were reportedly altered within an hour, a development that drew scrutiny from the court during the proceedings.

The court questioned the investigation team on the circumstances under which the charges were modified and noted that repeated examination of the available video footage did not clearly establish that the security personnel had struck the protesters on the head, as alleged by the prosecution.

The Sessions Court also raised serious concerns about the conduct of the SIT, including how portions of the investigation report became available to the media before being formally submitted to the court.

During the hearing, the court repeatedly reviewed video recordings submitted by the police photographer, the prosecution, and the complainant's counsel. It observed that the footage lacked sufficient clarity and did not conclusively show the accused targeting the the protesters.

The court further sought clarification on whether there was any definitive evidence to establish that the security personnel had intentionally assaulted the protesters with the aim of causing grievous injury.

Appearing for the accused, advocate B Sivadas argued that the gunmen had not used any equipment other than the standard gear issued by the department and had merely carried out their official duties in accordance with protocol.