Nava Kerala Sadas Assault: Kerala High Court Issues Notice To Ex-CM's Security Personnel On State's Plea To Cancel Pre-Arrest Bail

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 18) issued notice on State's plea to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.

Justice C.S. Dias ordered notice to the accused persons, who were granted pre-arrest bail by the Sessions Judge, Alappuzha.

Time has also been granted for them to file counter affidavit, if any. The case is posted to June 27 for further consideration.

The prosecution allegation was that on December 15, 2023 at about 4:08 p.m., the defacto complainant and other members of the Youth Congress and KSU approached the KSRTC bus carrying the then Chief Minister and his Cabinet members and shouted slogans to demonstrate their protest. Though the police had restrained the protesters and enabled the smooth movement of the ministers, the accused persons got out from their escort vehicle with lathis and assaulted the protesters. It is alleged that the accused assaulted the protesters even though the police had the situation under control and caused injuries to them with the knowledge that such injuries could lead to their deaths.

The Sessions Judge had granted bail to the accused after noting that a Special Investigation Team has been constituted by the present government to conduct a fresh investigation and that the chances of asserting influence are less since the accused were police constables, not higher officials. The judge had further observed that custody of the accused was not necessary for recovery of weapons since they had used lathis, which were already surrendered.

According to the State, the SIT investigation revealed that the vehicle carrying the ministers had passed through without any obstruction but even then, the accused persons alighted and proceeded against the victims. Moreover, it was found by the SIT that the weapons used by the accused were not part of the authorized equipment ordinarily issued to escort personnel.

The State now challenges the bail order contending that there was factually incorrect observation with respect to the weapons used being surrendered.

Case No: CrlMC No. 4985/ 2026

Case Title: State of Kerala v. Shaiju V.K. and Ors.