ED officials attack case: Geena Kumari replaced, A Santhosh Kumar appointed special prosecutor

Thiruvananthapuram: In the case related to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, the current District Government Pleader Geena Kumari has been removed from her post. Additional Government Pleader A.R. Shaji has been assigned the charge in her place. Former Government Pleader Advocate A. Santhosh Kumar has been appointed as the new Special Public Prosecutor to handle the case.

The action against Geena Kumari follows alleged lapses in connection with the granting of bail to the ninth accused in the case.

The government has assessed that the accused securing bail was the result of alleged collusion and a serious lapse on the part of the prosecutor. The Home Minister had earlier publicly stated that the prosecutor’s approach in court was contrary to the official stance of the government.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the prosecutor’s conduct, the investigating officer who is the Museum SHO, had met the Director General of Prosecution. The police had also requested the appointment of a special prosecutor, citing concerns that the current situation could hinder the ongoing follow-up investigation into the conspiracy aspects of the case.

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s lawyer, A. Santhosh Kumar, has now been assigned to handle the case. He had earlier appeared in court for Oommen Chandy in several cases, including a defamation case against V.S. Achuthanandan.

The controversy erupted after the Public Prosecutor representing the state government did not oppose the bail plea of Harish Kumar, the ninth accused in the case related to the alleged attack on ED officials. Following this, the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court granted him bail on Wednesday, June 24.