Court rejects police plea to cancel bail of CPI(M) workers in ED officials’ attack case

The Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate - III Court on Friday rejected the prosecution’s plea to cancel the bail granted to two Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] workers, the accused in a case involving an alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials.

The petition sought the cancellation of the bail granted to Nithin Raj, the first accused, and former Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor I.P. Binu, who is the 16th accused. The prosecution argued that the accused persons violated their bail conditions by allegedly participating in the Onam celebrations held at the Museum police station.

The controversy arose when the two accused visited the police station to comply with the bail condition that requires them to appear and sign their attendance as directed by the court. During the visit, they reportedly took part in the Onam celebrations. Mr. Binu also shared videos of the celebrations on his social media handles.

The prosecution maintained that their participation in the celebrations amounted to a violation of the bail conditions and sought the cancellation of their bail.

However, the court rejected the prosecution’s argument. It observed that the accused had visited the police station to fulfil the requirement of signing as part of their bail conditions. Their brief participation in the Onam festivities, including riding the swing and playing the chenda, could be considered part of the celebrations and did not, by itself, constitute a violation of the bail conditions.

Both accused also strongly opposed the prosecution’s plea, and the court dismissed the application after considering their arguments.

The accused were among 27 CPI(M) workers who were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on ED officials during a raid at the Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence in Thiruvananthapuram on May 27.