Thiruvananthapuram: A Special Branch inquiry has been launched into the Onam celebrations held at the Museum police station by the accused in the case involving the alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who had arrived to conduct a search at the residence of Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan. City Police Commissioner Arul R.B. Krishna ordered the inquiry following the incident, which has brought embarrassment to the police department.

Former corporation councillor and CPM leader IP Binu and his co-accused, who had arrived at the station to sign as required under their bail conditions, took part in the Onam celebrations. The celebrations were held at the Museum station on Saturday.

Binu was dressed in blue shirt and mundu selected by the police for the celebrations. He was also seen playing on the swing set up on the station premises and recording videos on his mobile phone while playing the traditional chenda.

The incident became controversial after the video was shared on social media with the remark, “What is Onam without playing on a swing when you see one?” The Museum police have claimed that they did not see the accused using the swing. However, sentry duty personnel said that they were unaware that the accused were filming reels.

Museum station Circle Inspector R Prashanth is a former office-bearer of a police organisation and is known to maintain close ties with CPM leaders. His friendly interaction with CPM leaders who were present at the station on the day ED officials were allegedly attacked had earlier triggered controversy.

The Onam celebrations were held before Prashanth, who had been transferred from the Museum station, relinquished charge. The Special Branch has obtained visuals showing the accused interacting cordially with police officers inside the station.

The police have claimed that it was a coincidence that the accused also received shirts in the same colour as those selected for the police personnel. However, questions have been raised over how the accused who arrived at the station ended up wearing shirts of the same colour.

Three extra shirts purchased

When police personnel purchased shirts of the same colour from a clothing store in the city for the Onam celebrations at the Museum station, three additional shirts were bought. There is suspicion that these extra shirts were purchased for the accused in the ED case. The shirts were bought by a police officer who maintains close relations with the accused in the ED attack case.