ED Officers Assault Case: Court Again Rejects Bail Pleas of Seven Accused, Cites Ongoing Investigation

Thiruvananthapuram, July 22: The Principal District and Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram has once again rejected the bail applications of seven accused in the case relating to the alleged assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a search at the residence where Veena Vijayan, daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, resides.
The court accepted the prosecution’s contention that the investigation is still in progress and that granting bail at this stage could adversely affect the probe and create the possibility of witnesses being influenced.
The accused have been in judicial custody for 57 days. They will become eligible to seek statutory (default) bail only after the completion of the prescribed 90-day period if the investigation is not completed and the charge sheet is not filed. As of now, 23 days remain before that period expires.
The court’s decision to deny bail while the investigation is continuing is being viewed as reinforcing the importance of allowing the probe to proceed without interference.
No observation has been made by the court regarding the political implications of the case. Accordingly, any conclusion that the ruling places the CPI(M) or Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a difficult position would be speculative unless supported by judicial findings or other verifiable evidence.