Attack episode: Taxi driver receives Rs 1.75 lakh from ED; Kerala CPM's promise remains unfulfilled

Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has compensated a taxi driver whose vehicle was vandalised during protests by CPM workers against the agency's raid at the residence of Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, reviving political debate in Kerala.  

On Friday, the Thiruvananthapuram-based driver received around Rs 1.75 lakh as full compensation for the damage caused to the taxi, which had been hired by the ED for official duty.

The attack took place in May as the ED team was leaving the residence after conducting searches.

The raid was part of the agency's ongoing investigation involving Veena Vijayan, Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter. She was staying with him at the rented house at the time and remains under the ED's scanner.

According to the allegations, CPM workers surrounded the convoy as officials left the premises and attacked the vehicles. The taxi hired by the ED sustained extensive damage.

The driver maintained that he had no connection with the investigation and was only carrying out his professional duty when he became caught up in the confrontation.

Compensation after two months

The incident drew widespread condemnation. Soon afterwards, the CPM announced that it would compensate the driver for the losses.

However, the party did not follow through on that assurance, leaving the driver without compensation for damage to his only source of livelihood.

Nearly two months later, the ED settled the entire claim, providing relief to the driver.

The criminal case linked to the attack has also progressed. Police have arrested 25 people in connection with the violence. Of them, one accused has been granted bail, while the remaining 24 continue in judicial custody.

The ED's decision to compensate the driver is being viewed as an unusual move by a central investigating agency.

The development is also expected to intensify political criticism of the CPM, with its opponents questioning why the party did not honour its public commitment while the agency it had protested against ultimately compensated the driver.