Thiruvananthapuram, April 25: A significant development has emerged in the attempted murder case involving Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists, linked to a protest against Health Minister Veena George at Kannur railway station in late February. The minister’s own statement has undermined the prosecution’s main allegation in this case.
In a recorded statement to the police investigation team nearly two months after the incident, Veena George stated that only pushing and shoving occurred during the protest. This assertion effectively weakens the claim made by her bodyguard that she sustained a neck injury from a weapon, which was the basis for charging five KSU activists under Section 307 (attempted murder).
The accused spent over two weeks in jail before being granted bail. Due to the lack of solid evidence supporting the charges, the railway police are now preparing to drop the attempted murder charge and proceed with less serious offenses when filing the charge sheet.
The protest occurred during the minister’s visit to Kannur, where she faced demonstrations at five locations, with black flags being displayed. Tensions escalated at the railway station, reportedly due to an earlier attack on Youth League leader Shazir Iqbal by CPI(M) workers in Peringom on the same day.
The confrontation on Platform 1 lasted nearly two minutes, marked by pushing, shouting, and chaos. Following the incident, the minister canceled her trip and was immediately taken to the district hospital.
As news spread quickly, several senior leaders, including Chief Minister Vijayan, rushed to meet her. Later that night, she was transferred to Government Medical College Pariyaram for further examination.
The five KSU activists arrested at the scene were initially detained by town police and later handed over to railway police. An FIR was filed that same night, and the next morning, the accused were presented before a magistrate and remanded. They were granted bail approximately two weeks later.
Notably, the injury report from the district hospital did not mention any weapon-related injuries. Statements from on-duty police officers and CCTV footage from the station also revealed no indications of attempted murder.
While medical bulletins from Pariyaram Hospital frequently noted pain in the cervical spine area, no substantial evidence of a serious attack emerged. The investigation officer had struggled to record the minister’s statement until after the elections, prompting a reevaluation of the case.
This sequence of events bolsters the opposition’s claims that the charges were excessively severe, raising broader questions about the application of serious criminal charges in politically sensitive situations. Following the incident, social media trolling ensued, portraying the minister, a former journalist, in a negative light.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment