Blocking CM on way: Video to undergo forensic examination; Police to collect voice samples of Chenthi Anil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police will send the video of the incident where Chief Minister V D Satheesan was blocked on the road for forensic examination. The examination is intended to establish the authenticity of the visuals. A voice sample of Chenthi Anil will also be collected. The forensic examination is aimed at scientifically determining whether the voice heard in the video is that of Anil. He has also been charged for his insulting remarks against the chief minister. The police said there is no need to take Anil into custody. They said that his voice samples can be collected from the jail and that no further evidence collection is required.

Chenthi Anil, who was arrested the other day, was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The Vanchiyoor court issued the remand order in the case registered by the Sreekaryam Police under charges including obstructing the discharge of official duties, issuing threats, and preventing the chief minister's movement. However, Anil’s claim is that he did not stop the chief minister and that he had only requested him to attend the Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti celebrations. Following the incident, Anil was expelled from the primary membership of the Congress by the Thiruvananthapuram DCC on the instructions of KPCC. Meantime, he alleged that the action was part of factional politics within the party.

The incident happened Friday evening at Chenthi near Ulloor. According to the FIR, the Chief Minister stopped his vehicle and got out after seeing senior Congress leader Peethambara Kurup and others, when a roadblock was allegedly created under the leadership of Chenthi Anil.

When Anil asked the chief minister why he had not attended the programme he was invited to, the chief minister reportedly responded by asking why Anil was getting angry. The FIR further states that Anil responded by asking what would happen if he became angry.

The Sreekaryam Police took Chenthi Anil into custody late Friday night on the allegation that he had obstructed the official duties of those who were on duty with the chief minister. His arrest was formally recorded Saturday morning, after which he was produced before the court.