ED attack case: Kerala Police expands probe team

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 12 (IANS) The investigation into the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who had arrived at the residence of CPI-M leader and former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to widen, with the Kerala police expanding the special team.

The ED team had raided the rented residence of Vijayan, where his daughter Veena Vijayan also resides, on May 27.

The case pertains to her IT firm Exalogic and the dealings with Kochi-based mining firm CMRL.

Among the protesters, 25 people were in jail from the last week of May till early this month, and at present one person is still behind bars, while another person is still absconding.

One reason why this has been done, according to sources in the know of the case, is that the team is preparing to question senior party leaders, including CPI-M state Secretary M. V. Govindan and others who were present at the spot.

The investigating team has been strengthened by inducting more Sub-Inspectors and Civil Police Officers, citing the seriousness of the case and the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the attack.

The move comes as investigators turn their attention to the alleged planning and communications preceding the incident.

Notices are expected to be issued next week to Govindan, Thiruvananthapuram district Secretary V. Joy, and former minister V. Sivankutty, asking them to appear for questioning.

The questioning is aimed at determining whether the attack on the ED officials was the result of a pre-planned political intervention or whether there was any instigation behind the incident.

The police are particularly looking into whether the attack was part of a broader conspiracy and whether there were organised efforts to mobilise people or influence the course of the ED officials’ visit.

Investigators are banking heavily on the cyber-forensic examination of the mobile phones and call records of senior CPI-M leaders.

The findings could prove crucial in establishing the sequence of events and identifying communications that may have preceded the alleged attack.

The communications made both immediately before and during the incident are being examined in detail.

The investigation is expected to focus not merely on those who were physically present at the scene, but also on whether instructions, information or directions were passed on from elsewhere.

The expansion of the team signals that the police are treating the case as more than a routine confrontation between political workers and investigating officials.

The possibility of a coordinated effort is now among the key lines of inquiry.

–IANS

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