Thiruvananthapuram, 16 June (H.S.) : In a significant development, a court in Thiruvananthapuram has ordered a fresh investigation against senior CPI(M) leader and former minister E.P. Jayarajan in connection with allegations that he assaulted Youth Congress activists aboard an IndiGo flight in 2022.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court rejected a police report that had effectively given Jayarajan a clean chit and recommended closing the case. The court also dismissed the Valiyathura police report which concluded that no case could be registered against the CPI(M) leader. Instead, the court directed the police to conduct a comprehensive reinvestigation and submit a fresh report.

The case stems from an incident in June 2022 when Youth Congress activists, including Farzeen Majeed, staged a protest against then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a flight. The activists alleged that Jayarajan physically assaulted them while attempting to prevent the protest. Following a complaint by the Youth Congress workers, the police conducted an inquiry but later recommended that the case be closed, citing insufficient grounds for prosecution.

However, after examining the complaint and the materials placed before it, the magistrate court held that the allegations could not be dismissed outright. The court directed investigators to examine the accusations against both Jayarajan and his personal security officer, Anilkumar, and carry out a fresh probe into the matter.

With the court's intervention, the police are now expected to re-examine all aspects of the case. As part of the reinvestigation, statements from Jayarajan, the complainants, and other relevant witnesses may be recorded again. Investigators are also likely to revisit evidence related to the incident that occurred aboard the flight.

The fresh investigation will proceed alongside the existing case registered against the Youth Congress activists over the in-flight protest, ensuring that both sets of allegations arising from the controversial incident are examined independently.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman