Court rejects bail pleas of seven accused in attack on ED team

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.

The ED has also opposed the bail pleas, and contended that the attack on the officials should be treated as a serious offence. The agency’s counsel also submitted that a similar attack on ED officials had taken place in West Bengal in the past and that a senior political leader in the particular case continues to remain in custody.