Assault on ED officials: Five suspects remanded to Police custody; evidence gathering begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Friday remanded five suspects to police custody until 4 p.m. tomorrow in connection with the assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials outside the residence of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan.

Following the court order, a police team led by Museum SHO R. Prashanth, under the supervision of Cantonment Assistant Commissioner V. Jayachandran, escorted the suspects to the site near the Bakery Junction residence for an evidence gathering session.

Investigators interrogated the five suspects, identified as Nidhin Raj, M. Manoj, J. Jeevan, A. Shahin, and R. Sreejith, to determine if there was a broader conspiracy or external incitement behind the ambush. The prosecution, represented by Manu Kallampally, successfully argued for custody by emphasising the need to recover the weapons used in the attack and to identify remaining accomplices. The prosecution also noted that the victims must formally identify the attackers.

Describing the assault as a grave offence against society, the prosecutor informed the court that the public and the nation at large are closely monitoring the developments in this case. The state maintains that the suspects launched an unprovoked attack on the central agency officials while they were discharging their official duties, with the intent to disrupt their work and cause fatal injuries.

Authorities have identified 46 individuals linked to the incident so far. With 26 suspects already placed under arrest, law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing the remaining accused involved in the case.