Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 31 (PTI) The Keralam police on Monday constituted an SIT to conduct a further probe into the alleged attack on former Health Minister Veena George by KSU activists at Kannur railway station in February.
According to an order issued by State Police Chief Ravada A Chandra Sekhar, the SIT will be headed by U Preman, Commandant of the KAP IV Battalion, Mangattuparamba. A P Asad, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kannur City, will assist the investigation.
The order said the probe was being conducted following a direction from the Home department.
The Special Investigation Team has been asked to conduct a “thorough investigation” to unearth all relevant facts and complete the probe “expeditiously”. The team head has been directed to submit a fortnightly progress report to the Police Headquarters.
The case was registered at the Kannur Railway Police Station in connection with a black-flag protest against George, who was then the Health Minister.
Police sources said the Home department decided to order a fresh probe and constitute an SIT based on petitions filed by Congress and KSU activists.
The development comes nearly six months after the February 25 incident, when five Kerala Students Union activists protesting against alleged medical negligence approached George at Kannur railway station as she arrived to board a train.
George later complained of neck pain and was admitted to a hospital.
Based on a complaint filed by her gunman, police registered a case of attempt to murder and arrested the five KSU activists. The FIR alleged that a weapon was used in the incident.
The incident triggered widespread political tensions, with Congress offices allegedly attacked in Kannur and other parts of the state.
KSU activists alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the case, claiming they had not approached George and that police had prevented the protesters from reaching her.
The demand for a fresh probe gained momentum after the attempt-to-murder charge and other serious offences were dropped when the investigating team filed a charge sheet before a court in June.
The latest police order lists offences under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, as well as Sections 147 and 145 of the Indian Railways Act.
The Home department had directed a further probe through a letter dated August 3, following petitions submitted in connection with the case. PTI TGB SSK
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