Kochi , 29 July (H.S.): Seven CPM workers accused in the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have approached the Kerala High Court seeking bail after spending more than 60 days in judicial custody without securing their release. The move comes after the Sessions Court rejected their bail applications twice, prompting the accused to seek relief from the higher judiciary.

A total of 24 accused remain in jail in connection with the case, which includes charges of obstructing public servants from discharging official duties and attempting to murder ED personnel. The accused had initially expected to obtain bail within a few weeks of their arrest, but the prolonged incarceration has led them to move the High Court.

Among those who have filed bail petitions are fifth accused Sreejith, seventh accused Anilkumar, along with Shafeeq, Kiran, Nishad Jeevan and two others. The defence has assembled a high-profile legal team comprising former Director General of Police T.A. Shaji, senior advocates A.G. Gopalakrishnan Kurup, Vijay Bhanu and S. Rajeev, among others.

In their petitions, the accused contend that several of them were implicated solely on the basis of media reports. They argue that the charge of attempt to murder is unsustainable as no deadly weapons were used, no one sustained grievous injuries, and no identification parade was conducted during the investigation. The defence also claims that the driver involved in the incident suffered only minor injuries and that the attempt to murder charge was invoked merely to make the case appear more serious.

The Enforcement Directorate has decided to strongly oppose the bail pleas and is expected to be represented by the Assistant Solicitor General before the High Court. The bail petitions are scheduled to be heard on different days between July 30 and August 4.

Meanwhile, the High Court is also hearing the State government's plea seeking cancellation of bail granted earlier to one of the accused after a prosecutor reportedly took a stand contrary to the police report before the lower court.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman