Bail plan falls through; Gunmen go into hiding after attempt to murder charge invoked

ALAPPUZHA: Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's gunmen, accused of roughing up Youth Congress leaders, withdrew their anticipatory bail application after the police filed an attempt to murder charge against them. Anilkumar and Sandeep, the first and second accused in the case of assaulting A.D. Thomas and Ajay Juel Kuriakose went into hiding, fearing arrest. Only bailable charges were imposed on them earlier.

The two were planning to appear in the Alappuzha Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday and seek bail. When the court took up the petition in the morning, the investigation team submitted a report charging them with attempted murder, which can carry a sentence of ten years in prison.

The police were ready in the court premises to arrest the accused if bail was denied. After the non-bailable charges were filed, the accused's lawyer, B. Shivadas, withdrew the petition.

In the evening, an application for anticipatory bail was filed in the Alappuzha District Sessions Court. It is reported that they have sought shelter in a safe place.

If Anilkumar and Sandeep were to get bail, the plan was to bring the other accused, Shyju, Vipin and Arun to Alappuzha and file a bail plea.

In the case registered by the Alappuzha South Police, sections 294 (B) (Publicly using expletives), 324 (Compulsory assault with a weapon), and 325 (Assault with a hand) of the IPC were earlier charged.