Police allege conspiracy behind attack on ED officials, accuse former prosecutor of misleading court

Special Prosecutor accused former Public Prosecutor T. Geena Kumari of misleading the court in the case related to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during the raid on Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence on Friday.

Special Public Prosecutor A. Santhosh Kumar, who was appointed after Ms. Kumari’s dismissal, argued before the Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court that the former prosecutor had erroneously stated that the investigation was completed even though the investigation was still ongoing. He stated that the alleged misrepresentation resulted in granting bail to the ninth accused, Harish Kumar.

Defense was made at the hearing regarding the bail request of 10 of the defendants participating in the case. He claimed that the crimes committed by the defendants were serious and that there was a larger conspiracy behind the incident. The prosecutor’s office, which also requested the cancellation of the bail given to Mr. Kumar, said that the investigation, including the examination of the phone records of the defendants, was still continuing.

It was also stated that such politically motivated attacks, which undermine the authority of central investigative institutions, should not be taken lightly. Additionally, granting bail to the defendant may send the wrong message in such cases.

Rejecting the defense’s claim that the remaining defendants should also be released on bail since the ninth defendant was released, the prosecutor said that each bail application should be evaluated on its own merits. He also urged the court to review video footage of the alleged assault before deciding on his bail application.

The court reserved its decision and adjourned it to July 6, when it is expected to announce its decision on the defendants’ bail applications.