Role of CPM leaders, conspiracy angle; SIT relying on digital investigation in ED attack case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team is conducting a digital investigation to find out the conspiracy in the case of the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in front of the opposition leader’s house in Thiruvananthapuram.

The phone calls and messages of the accused and the CPM leaders present at the scene will be examined. If it is found that they called for violence, the leaders will be accused. It is suspected that the delivery of stones, bricks and sticks was part of the conspiracy. It is also being investigated whether the accused were called for the attack. The police had obtained the mobile phones of the accused. These will be presented as evidence in the court. The information on the phones will be collected next. The case is against 300 people. 26 people were arrested. 15 more people who were directly involved in the attack have been identified.

Chargesheets will be issued to those arrested soon. More accused will be arrested in the next phase. All the accused will be taken into custody, and evidence will be collected. For this, an extension of the remand period will be sought. Museum SHO R. Prashanth, who is facing allegations of failing to prevent the attack, had written a letter to City Police Commissioner K. Karthik to recuse himself from the investigation. A senior official said that the station house officer in charge cannot recuse himself from the investigation.

The accused stated that they attacked due to sudden provocation. It is believed that all of them are giving similar statements to avoid leaders being implicated in the conspiracy. Charges, including attempted murder, obstructing the execution of duties, and destruction of public property, have been filed. The police also informed the court that public property worth Rs 3.5 lakh was destroyed. The prosecution will oppose bail even if this amount is deposited.