High-level cover-up alleged in assault case involving Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunmen

Thiruvananthapuram: It is learnt that high-level interference took place to derail the case involving the alleged assault by the gunmen of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the Nava Kerala Sadas in Alappuzha. The current Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reportedly found evidence of top-level intervention and manipulation of the investigation in the incident where Youth Congress workers were allegedly assaulted by security personnel.

In a report submitted to the court earlier, the police had claimed they had not seen the video footage of the assault, which is considered crucial evidence in the case. However, the initial report prepared during the early phase of the investigation had reportedly mentioned the existence of the video. That report had also recorded that the assault occurred while the gunmen were on duty.

The then investigating officer in the case, Alappuzha DySP Sunil Raj, was allegedly summoned twice to the office of the then ADGP in charge of law and order at Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram. The SIT suspects that it was after these meetings that the investigation report was completely altered and the claim that the video had not been viewed was inserted.

At present, a special team led by SP Shoukath Ali is reinvestigating the case. The SIT has already recorded statements from officers including the former DySP and SIs who had earlier handled the investigation.

The preliminary assessment suggests that there was deliberate intervention from higher authorities to shield the Chief Minister’s security personnel. The SIT is now trying to identify the senior officials behind the alleged cover-up. An investigation report related to the matter is expected to be submitted to the Home Department in the coming days.

Meanwhile, indications are that action may be taken against four gunmen involved in the incident. The SIT has reportedly concluded, after examining visual evidence, that the assault on Youth Congress workers by the gunmen was against protocol and unlawful. The investigation report will soon be handed over to the DGP.

Reports have also surfaced alleging that a previous report by the former Alappuzha SP recommending action against the gunmen had been suppressed by the Home Department.