Murder attempt on Kerala health minister; Court denies bail to KSU activists

KANNUR: The court rejected the bail application of KSU activists remanded in the case of attempting to murder Health Minister Veena George. Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court came to the decision not allow bail to the activists. A case was registered against five people, including KSU district president M C Athul. The accused will be produced in court on the 5th of this month.

A detailed argument was heard on the bail application yesterday. The defence argued the incident just involved the activists showing black flags in protest at the minister and denied any involvement in the murder charges. However, the prosecution argued that more CCTV footage of the incident needed to be examined and that more people were involved in the crime. The prosecution also sought the custody of the accused.

The minister arrived in Kannur to inaugurate an international research center. Minister Veena George said that what happened at the Kannur railway station was an ambush and compared it to a leopard sneaking up on its prey. The minister said the black flag protests are part of democracy, but said it was unacceptable that the protestors rushed at her with the intention to attack.