Thiruvananthapuram, 12 August (H.S.):Kerala Police have expanded the special investigation team probing the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials who had arrived to conduct a raid at the residence of Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan.The investigation team has been strengthened by inducting additional sub-inspectors and civil police officers, considering the seriousness of the case and suspicions of a possible conspiracy behind the incident.

Investigators are now preparing to question senior CPI(M) leaders as part of efforts to determine the circumstances that led to the confrontation with the ED team. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan, Thiruvananthapuram district secretary V Joy and former minister V Sivankutty are expected to be served notices asking them to appear for questioning next week.

A key focus of the investigation is whether the attack was spontaneous or whether there was prior planning, coordination or instigation. The special team is examining whether any individuals or groups played a role in mobilising people or encouraging the confrontation when the ED officials arrived at Vijayan's residence.

Cyber forensic examination of phone calls and other communications involving CPI(M) leaders is expected to play a crucial role in the investigation. Officials are scrutinising communications made immediately before and during the incident to establish whether there was any coordinated effort behind the alleged attack.

Investigators are also expected to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the confrontation and examine the roles of those present at the scene.

The expansion of the investigation team indicates that police are widening the scope of the probe beyond the immediate circumstances of the attack. The questioning of senior political leaders and analysis of digital evidence are expected to determine whether the incident involved a broader conspiracy or organised intervention.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman