Attack on ED officials; Special team to examine phone records to probe conspiracy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The special team will examine if there was a conspiracy in the attacks against the officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED officials were attacked soon after a raid was conducted at the house of opposition leader and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The ED officials have stated that the attack was planned. They will examine the call records and mobile messages of the accused who directly participated in the attack. Based on the evidence received, those behind the attack will be arrested. The ED has clarified that those behind the attack will be arrested regardless of whether they are leaders or activists.

The SIT team who reached Kochi the other day had recorded the statements of the ED officials who came under attack. The statements of seven including assistant director Sanith Reddy, have been recorded. Out of the 46 people identified in connection with the attack, 26 have been arrested so far. It is learnt that the rest will be arrested soon. Most of them are grassroots CPI (M) workers. The ED alleged that senior party leaders, including some from the party, participated in the protests and they have a role in the circumstances that led to the violence.