Attack on ED team: Kerala Police form 30-member SIT; agency likely to press for CBI probe

Thiruvananthapuram/ Kochi: The Kerala Police have formed a 30-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate a case linked to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a search operation at former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in Thiruvananthapuram. 

The order constituting the SIT was issued by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner on May 30.

The incident took place on May 27, when an unlawful assembly allegedly interfered with ED officials while they were carrying out their official duties.

Police said the decision to form the special team was taken considering "the gravity of the offence", the large number of accused persons involved and the need for a speedy and effective investigation.

SIT to function under ACP supervision

According to the order, the SIT will function under the direct supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cantonment Sub-Division.

Inspector Prasanth R, Station House Officer of Museum Police Station, has been appointed as the investigating officer.

"The Supervisory Officer shall monitor the progress of the investigation and ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly investigated," the order stated.

It also directed that the progress of the investigation be reported to the Police Commissioner at regular intervals.

The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.

Police officials said the SIT would focus on identifying everyone involved and completing the investigation as early as possible.

The case relates to an incident outside Vijayan's rented residence, where ED officials conducting a search operation were allegedly obstructed and attacked by a group of protesters.

Police have alleged that the gathering disrupted the officials' discharge of duty and targeted their vehicles during the confrontation.

ED may seek CBI probe into alleged conspiracy

Meanwhile, the ED is likely to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the attack that occurred during searches linked to the CMRL-Exalogic financial transactions case.

According to ED sources, a similar attack in West Bengal had earlier been investigated by the CBI.

Senior officials in Kochi have submitted a detailed report on the Thiruvananthapuram incident to the ED Director.

A police team investigating the violence also travelled to Kochi and recorded statements from ED personnel. Statements were collected from four ED officials, eight CRPF personnel and two bank officials who had accompanied the ED team as witnesses during the search operation.

Police case against 300 people; 25 arrested

Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram have registered a case against 300 identifiable persons in connection with the incident. So far, 25 people have been arrested.

While considering the case, the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram reportedly observed that the incident was not a spontaneous protest but an organised attack.

The ED is examining whether there was a conspiracy behind the incident. According to its assessment, CPM workers did not arrive at the location during the first three hours of the search. The agency believes workers later gathered in an organised manner after receiving specific instructions.

Investigators are also assessing whether similar instructions were issued regarding the alleged attack on officials' vehicles.

The ED may additionally seek examination of mobile phone call records and WhatsApp chats of senior CPM leaders in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the investigation.

The searches are linked to allegations that Vijayan's daughter, T Veena, and her company, Exalogic Solutions, received payments from sand-mining company CMRL between 2017 and 2020 for IT and consultancy services that investigating agencies claim were never provided.

Veena and CMRL have denied any wrongdoing and maintain that the payments were part of a legitimate commercial arrangement.