Fresh twist in case against KSU activists over alleged attack on Veena George

Thiruvananthapuram: The probe into the alleged attack on former Kerala Health Minister Veena George by Kerala Students’ Union activists has taken a new turn, with a woman Sub-Inspector claiming that her statement was fabricated by the original investigating team.

Deepthi, who was the Kannur Town Sub-Inspector responsible for Veena’s security at the Kannur railway station, told the Special Investigation Team that the earlier investigators had never recorded her statement. She alleged that a false account, claiming that the minister was thrown off balance during the February 25 protest on the railway platform, was prepared in her name.

The disclosure has raised serious questions over the conduct of the initial probe, which had led to five KSU activists being booked under grave charges, including attempted murder. The accused spent several days in jail before being granted bail.

The SIT is also considering disciplinary action against Abhilash, Veena’s former gunman, and is expected to submit its findings to the Director General of Police.

Abhilash had earlier alleged that protesters tried to attack the minister with weapons. However, he later told the SIT that he had not seen anyone attempting to attack her. According to information emerging during the probe, he also claimed that his initial statement was given at Veena’s direction.

The SIT is treating the retraction as a serious matter and has decided to question the Railway Police Inspector who registered the case based on the gunman’s initial statement.

The team has recorded the statements of all five accused, including KSU district president M.C. Athul, in connection with the protest. Veena’s statement may also be recorded again in detail in view of the new revelations. The SIT had earlier visited her residence and recorded a preliminary statement.

The fresh disclosures are likely to put the original investigating officers under scrutiny. The SIT will now examine whether statements and evidence were improperly recorded and whether further departmental or criminal action is required against those responsible.

The case had drawn widespread attention after visuals captured by news videographers at the platform showed the sequence of events. Several social media posts later criticised the former minister’s conduct during the incident.

The CPI(M), which was in power at the time, had organised protests over the alleged attack on Veena. However, with the investigation now focusing on the statements made in her favour, no party leader has come out in her defence.

Veena also lost the Aranmula Assembly seat in the recent election, ending her bid for a third consecutive term from the constituency.

(Inputs from IANS)