Kerala Court Denies Bail To Accused In ED Officials Assault Case

A magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram has declined to grant bail to the first group of accused arrested in connection with the alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate officials during an enforcement operation.

The court dismissed petitions filed by Nidhin Raj, Manoj, Jeevan, Sreejith, and Shaheen. It was observed that the nature of the allegations required a cautious approach.

Those arrested face several criminal charges. These include attempted murder, obstructing government officials from carrying out their duties, and violations under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Prosecutors urged the court not to grant bail. They argued that the inquiry remains at a sensitive stage and could be adversely affected if the accused are released.

Lawyers representing the accused challenged the prosecution’s claims. They argued that the investigation may not ultimately substantiate the more serious charges, particularly attempted murder.

After considering the submissions, the court sided with the prosecution and refused to release the accused on bail.

Police have continued their crackdown on individuals suspected of participating in the violence linked to the case.

Operations conducted on Thursday night led to the custody of six additional individuals, including former Attukal councillor Unnikrishnan.

The latest arrests have raised the total number of accused held in the case to 25.

Investigators believe further detentions could follow as efforts continue to identify everyone allegedly involved.

Senior police officials said the investigation has expanded surveillance measures and is currently pursuing multiple leads.

The case has generated considerable political and legal attention across Kerala, prompting calls for swift action from the state government.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed the Director General of Police to expedite the preparation and submission of the charge sheet.

An expedited filing process may provide the prosecution with a stronger position before the matter proceeds to higher courts.

The court’s decision to reject the bail applications represents the first significant legal hurdle for those arrested and underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.

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