Attack on KSU, Youth Congress activists: former CM’s security team members granted anticipatory bail

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The Alappuzha District and Sessions Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to five police personnel accused in the alleged attack on Kerala Students' Union (KSU) and Youth Congress activists who had staged a black flag protest against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in 2023.

Judge Honey M. Varghese granted bail to Anilkumar, who had served as the former Chief Minister's gunman, and members of the security team, identified as S. Sandeep, Shaiju, Arun and Vipin.

The case pertains to an incident in December 2023 during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha. KSU and Youth Congress activists had staged a protest against the Chief Minister’s convoy, following which they were allegedly assaulted by members of the security team. Visuals of the incident had surfaced at the time, showing security personnel stepping out of the Chief Minister’s escort vehicle and beating the protesters.

The then Chief Minister had defended the actions of his security officers, stating that they were acting solely to ensure his safety and describing the intervention as a “rescue operation.” The explanation drew sharp criticism from Congress leaders and sparked political debate.

As police initially did not register a case, the Youth Congress leaders who were allegedly beaten up approached the court seeking legal intervention. Acting on the court’s direction, the police subsequently registered a case against the security personnel involved.

After the United Democratic Front (UDF) government came to power in the State, a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted and a re-investigation was launched. Though the accused had initially approached the Magistrate Court seeking anticipatory bail they later withdrew their petitions and moved the Sessions Court after additional charges, including Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with attempt to commit culpable homicide, were incorporated.

In a report submitted before the court, the SIT stated that the inclusion of Section 30