Alappuzha: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has invoked charges of culpable homicide against the police officers accused of assaulting Youth Congress activists during the Navakerala Sadas led by Pinarayi Vijayan. The non-bailable charge, levied against five police officers, carries a maximum prison sentence of up to seven years. Under this Section, the offence attracts up to three years of imprisonment if no injury is caused, and up to seven years if injuries are sustained during the attempt.

The SIT submitted the report incorporating the culpable homicide charges before the Alappuzha First Class Magistrate Court. The stringent charge was added specifically to minimise the possibility of the accused securing bail.

Recently, Inspector S Anilkumar—who served as Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunman—along with escort team members Grade Senior Civil Police Officer S Sandeep, and Civil Police Officers Arun, Vipin and Shaiju, were suspended from service. State Police Chief Rawada Chandrasekhar issued the suspension orders based on a report by Alappuzha Crime Branch SP Shoukathali, who heads the SIT.

The move comes after the court strongly reprimanded the investigating officer. During a recent hearing for the anticipatory bail plea filed by the accused, the SIT had failed to submit a report detailing the addition of the new Sections, drawing ire from the court.

The incident occurred on December 15, 2023. As the Navakerala Sadas bus was passing through the Alappuzha General Hospital Junction, security personnel traveling in an escort car jumped out and brutally assaulted protesting Youth Congress and KSU leaders right in front of the local police.

The assault left KSU district president A D Thomas, who is now elected as Alappuzha MLA, and Youth Congress state general secretary Ajay Jewel Kuriakose severely injured.