Court Raises Doubts Over Change of Charges Against Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan' Security Personnel Within an Hour; Criticizes SIT

Alappuzha: The Alappuzha District Sessions Court has sharply criticised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case in which Youth Congress leaders who rushed in front of the 'Navakerala' bus were allegedly assaulted by security personnel. The court's remarks came while considering an anticipatory bail application filed by the security personnel who had served under then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The court observed that it had watched the footage over twenty times and did not see security personnel striking Youth Congress workers on the head. It demanded that the SIT explain why charges against the accused were altered within an hour, even though the accused had been willing to surrender. The court also questioned why the report submitted in the morning did not mention Section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) when that provision was later cited.

The court had previously remarked that the complaint appeared to be an embellished account, and questioned how culpable homicide charges were framed without a medical examination. It asked what the SIT's intention was, and whether documents supporting claims of grievous injury had been produced. It also questioned why the treating doctor had not noted at the time that the injuries could have proved fatal, and whether action should be taken against the doctor if that finding was later suppressed.

The defence submitted that security officials were responding to protesters who had jumped in front of the Chief Minister's vehicle waving black flags, and argued that charging them with culpable homicide was unjustified. Both injured persons had sought treatment at a general hospital. The court has posted the anticipatory bail application for orders on Tuesday. They also noted that the weapon allegedly used in the assault was examined only in the evening — asking how a report citing it could have been submitted that same morning.