Attack on ED officials: Court to examine video footage before bail decision

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram will examine video footage related to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Monday before deciding on the bail pleas of 10 accused in the case. The court agreed to review the footage after accepting a request from the prosecution. So far, 26 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Special Public Prosecutor argued that the court should examine the digital evidence before ruling on the bail applications. The defence, however, opposed the request, contending that digital evidence need not be considered at the bail stage. After hearing both sides, the court decided to review the footage submitted by the prosecution before passing its order.

The case stems from the alleged attack on ED officials by CPM workers after they came out of the residence of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram following a search operation. According to the ED, the attack was pre-planned, with officials stating that they were deliberately targeted.

The statements of the ED officials were recorded by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that arrived in Kochi. Assistant Director Sanith Reddy and six other officials were questioned as part of the investigation. Investigators have identified 46 people in connection with the incident, and 26 of them have been arrested so far.

While most of those arrested are believed to be grassroots CPM workers, the ED has alleged that senior party leaders were also present during the protest and may have played a role in the events that led to the alleged attack. The agency is continuing its investigation to identify and establish the involvement of others in the case.