Kerala Court Denies Bail to Seven CPI(M) Workers in ED Attack Case
The Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of seven workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] accused of attacking Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid at the residence of Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan.
The court dismissed the bail pleas filed by Sreejith, Dineeth, Amal, Shyju Salim, Anil Kumar, Nishad and Dinakar. Special Public Prosecutor A. Santhosh Kumar argued that the investigation was still ongoing and that granting bail could hamper the probe. He stated that investigators were following leads that could reveal a larger conspiracy.
The defence countered that while charges including attempt to murder had been invoked, the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence. The court, however, rejected this argument.
The ED also opposed bail, calling the attack a serious offence. The agency's counsel noted a similar assault on ED officials had occurred in West Bengal, where a senior political leader remains in custody.
