Kerala High Court Grants Bail to Additional CPI(M) Workers
On a pivotal Tuesday session, the Kerala High Court extended the relief of bail to four individuals affiliated with the CPI(M), who faced charges for allegedly assaulting Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. This incident occurred as the officials were departing from a search operation at the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Judicial Decision by Justice Kauser Edappagath
Justice Kauser Edappagath presided over the bail applications submitted by the accused: Lenin Raj, Amal SP, Vaisakh, and Rahul A. This legal development follows closely on the heels of the High Court’s prior decision to grant bail to nine other defendants involved in the same case.
Incident Overview and Legal Proceedings
The contentious incident dates back to May 27, when ED officials executed a search at Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence, where he lived with his daughter, Veena Thaikkandiyil. The search was part of an investigation into the CMRL case, focusing on allegations linked to Exalogic, an IT firm owned by Thaikkandiyil.
Post-search, a crowd allegedly comprising 300 individuals reportedly surrounded the ED convoy, engaging in acts of violence by hurling stones, bricks, sticks, and iron rods, resulting in significant vehicular damage. Consequently, the Museum Police initiated a case under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 109 (attempt to murder), and Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Bail Decisions and Ongoing Appeals
In total, 14 individuals arrested in connection with the incident have now been granted bail. Initially, Harikrishnan was the first to receive bail from a trial court. However, the State has contested the trial court’s decision and is actively pursuing an appeal for the cancellation of his bail, which remains under judicial consideration.
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On the preceding day, the Court had already granted bail to nine other accused, acknowledging the gravity of the allegations but noting their extended detention of over two months. The Court observed that the investigation was nearing completion, and none of the bail applicants had significant prior criminal records, thus rendering their prolonged detention unnecessary.
