Gunmen's 'rescue operation': SIT to submit report to DGP today

ALAPPUZHA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will submit its report to the State Police Chief today in connection with the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers by the Chief Minister’s gunmen during the Nava Kerala Sadas event. SP Shoukath Ali will hand over the report.

According to statements given to the SIT by officials who initially investigated the case, two sub-inspectors from the office of the then ADGP in charge of law and order had allegedly tried to protect the accused officers. Investigators also claimed that the original investigation report was changed under pressure from an SI and a Grade SI. They allegedly instructed officials to submit the revised report in court and inform them of the case number.

There are also indications that the investigating officer at the time collapsed in Thiruvananthapuram due to extreme pressure related to the case. The SIT has reportedly collected hospital records connected to the incident. Legal advice received by the investigation team suggests that the then ADGP and former Alappuzha District Crime Branch DySP Sunil Raj could be named as an accused in the case for conspiracy and destruction of evidence.

Since the ADGP is an IPS officer, cabinet approval would be required to formally name him as an accused. Reports suggest that if the ADGP is charged, the DYSP accused of altering the case diary could be made an approver to strengthen the case.

The accused in the case are former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunmen- Anilkumar, Sandeep, Shaiju, Vipin, and Arun. The case is related to the alleged attack on Youth Congress leaders A.D. Thomas, now the Alappuzha MLA, and Ajay Jewel Kuryakose during protests against the Nava Kerala bus campaign. The leaders were reportedly beaten and struck on the head during the incident.