Kochi, July 21: The Kerala High Court has adjourned the hearing on the state government’s plea seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to five police personnel accused in the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Yatra programme in Alappuzha in December 2023. The matter will now be taken up on a later date.
The state government approached the High Court after the Alappuzha District and Sessions Court granted anticipatory bail to the five officers, who were members of the security team accompanying the then Chief Minister during the Nava Kerala Yatra. The government has argued that the seriousness of the allegations and the progress of the investigation warrant a reconsideration of the bail granted to the accused.
The case relates to an incident in which Youth Congress and Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists were allegedly assaulted while attempting to stage a black-flag protest against the Chief Minister’s convoy during the Nava Kerala Yatra. According to the investigation, several protesters sustained injuries during the confrontation, leading to widespread political controversy and demands for action against those involved.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the incident. Following its investigation, the SIT named five police personnel as accused, citing evidence that included video footage and witness statements. The officers were later granted anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court, a decision that prompted the state government to seek its cancellation before the High Court.
During the latest hearing, the High Court postponed further proceedings without making any observations on the merits of the case. As a result, the anticipatory bail granted to the accused officers will continue until the matter is heard again. The court is expected to consider the government’s arguments as well as the responses from the accused during the next hearing.
The case continues to attract political attention in Kerala, with opposition parties demanding strict accountability for the alleged assault, while the legal proceedings remain ongoing before the High Court.
