NKS Yatra assault: Govt moves HC against pre-arrest bail granted to cops

Kochi: The state govt has filed an appeal before high court seeking to quash the anticipatory bail granted to five police officers, including the gunman of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who are accused of assaulting Youth Congress-KSU functionaries during a protest against the Nava Kerala Yatra conducted by the previous LDF-led govt.According to prosecution, during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha, two functionaries — A D Thomas, now an MLA, and Ajay Juel Kuriakose — were allegedly assaulted with wooden lathis by members of the escort and security team attached to the then CM after they had been restrained by police personnel. On June 9, the principal sessions court, Alappuzha, granted anticipatory bail to all five accused police officers — S Anil Kumar, S Sandeep, V K Saiju, R Arun and V V Vipin — in connection with a case registered at the Alappuzha South police station regarding the alleged attack.In its appeal challenging the sessions court’s order, the state contended that although the initial investigation had culminated in a refer report treating the case as a mistake of fact, the judicial first-class magistrate court, Alappuzha, found serious deficiencies in the investigation and ordered a further probe. Consequently, a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted on May 19. The state argued that while the investigation is still in progress, the accused obtained anticipatory bail.

The appeal further stated that the weapons allegedly used in the offence have not yet been recovered and that the investigation into their source, procurement, possession, transportation and concealment is continuing. Therefore, the custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary, the state submitted.