Court rejects bail pleas of seven accused in attack on ED team
A Thiruvananthapuram court denied bail to seven CPI(M) workers accused of attacking Enforcement Directorate officials during a raid. The court agreed with the prosecution that the investigation is at a critical stage and the offense is serious.
Why it matters
The case underscores the legal tensions surrounding federal agency investigations into political figures in India.
The Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of seven CPI(M) workers who are accused in the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid at Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence.
The court dismissed the bail pleas filed by Sreejith, Dineeth, Amal, Shyju Salim, Anil Kumar, Nishad and Dinakar. The prosecution led by Special Public Prosecutor A. Santhosh Kumar submitted that the investigation was still in progress and granting bail at the present stage could adversely affect the ongoing probe. He added that the investigation team has been pursuing various leads that could unravel a wider conspiracy in the case.
The Defence argued that although charges including attempt to murder have been invoked against the accused, the prosecution has failed to produce sufficient evidence to support such allegations. However, the court did not accept the argument.
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