Nava Kerala assault case: Court grants anticipatory bail to 5 ex-security personnel of Pinarayi Vijayan

ALAPPUZHA: A Kerala court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to five former security personnel of Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with a case linked to the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023. Alappuzha District and Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese granted relief to Anil Kumar S, Sandeep S, Shaiju V K, Arun R and Vipin V V. The court observed that the charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide was not prima facie sustainable. The case relates to an incident in December 2023, when Youth Congress workers staged a black-flag protest against the then CPI(M)-led government as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his ministers travelled through Alappuzha as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme. According to the prosecution, the protesters were allegedly beaten with sticks by the chief minister’s gunmen after they ran towards the bus carrying Vijayan. Two people were injured in the incident, including the present Alappuzha MLA A D Thomas. Following the change of government, Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team after the first cabinet meeting to re-investigate the case. The SIT later added the more serious charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide against the accused personnel. During the hearing, the court examined video evidence related to the alleged assault, including footage recorded by a police photographer and videos shot by witnesses. The prosecution argued that the charge of attempt to commit culpable homicide had been included in the case. The defence opposed the addition of the charge, stating that the accused were carrying out official duties at the time of the incident. After hearing both sides in detail, the court reserved its order and later granted anticipatory bail. Reacting to the order, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government did not view it as a setback. "We will examine the court order. If an appeal is required, we will file one after consulting the Advocate General and the DGP," Chennithala told reporters. He described the incident as an act of “unprecedented violence” and said the UDF government had decided to reopen the case. He added that further steps would be taken after reviewing the court’s findings. The case remains politically sensitive, with the Left maintaining that the Youth Congress protesters were restrained in the interest of the chief minister’s security, while the prosecution alleges they were unlawfully assaulted during the protest.