Kerala CM’s gunman assaulting Congress workers: No chargesheet filed yet

Kottayam: Police have not yet filed a chargesheet in the case where chief minister's gunman and security personnel allegedly assaulted Alappuzha MLA-elect A D Thomas and Youth Congress state secretary Ajay Jewel Kuriakose. The Congress activists were protesting near the bus carrying chief minister and ministers during Nava Kerala Yatra. The mobile phone and pen drive that captured the footage of the alleged assault have been sent for forensic examination. The investigation can be completed only after receiving the results, said district crime branch officers probing the case. The incident took place in Alappuzha on Dec 15, 2023.With UDF gaining power in the assembly elections, there is a growing demand for a thorough investigation and strict action against the accused. Opposition leader V D Satheesan had said that they wouldn't forget the brutal beating of their workers. The accused in the case include chief minister's gunman Anil Kumar, security staff member S Sandeep and three other identifiable members of the security team. They have been charged under three bailable sections, but the matter cannot be settled outside court and the accused will have to face trial.While the bus was passing through General Hospital Junction, police removed Thomas and Kuriakose, who were waving black flags, but Kumar and Sandeep jumped out of the escort vehicle and beat the Congress activists with batons. Although television channels had broadcast the assault footage, police initially didn't register a case based on the activists' complaint. The activists' complaint also demanded an investigation against chief minister for inciting violence.Thomas and Kuriakose moved judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) court 1 after local police failed to take any action on their complaint. Thomas suffered a head injury and Kuriakose sustained a fracture to his hand from the beating. After court reviewed the footage, it ordered that a case be registered.Later, after chief minister received a complaint, the investigation was handed over to crime branch. But police initially argued that there was no evidence of assault and it was a natural action while providing security to CM. Despite multiple notices, the gunman didn't appear. Police later recorded his statement in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, during the investigation, the gunman was promoted to the rank of inspector.