Thiruvananthapuram, 23 August (H.S.): A preliminary inquiry by the City Police Commissioner has found lapses on the part of the Museum police after accused persons in a case involving an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials celebrated Onam and filmed social media reels at the police station.

The report said the accused, who had arrived at the station to comply with bail conditions, were not made to sign the register and leave promptly. It recommended a detailed investigation into the incident.

An inquiry is also under way into how the accused obtained shirts resembling those worn by police personnel. I.P. Binu, a CPM local secretary and an accused in the ED assault case, was among those seen wearing a similar shirt. However, the preliminary report said there was no evidence that police officers had purchased or supplied the clothes.

Museum police had bought 68 shirts from Kalyan Textiles at Palayam. Investigators examined the list of police personnel who had purchased the shirts but found no material linking them to the clothes worn by the accused.

According to a Special Branch report, Station House Officer Prasanth arrived while the accused were still at the station. The remaining portions of the reel were allegedly filmed outside the station while the SHO was present. Based on the Special Branch findings, the City Police Commissioner submitted a report containing his recommendations to the Inspector General of Police.

Minister K. Muraleedharan criticised the police over the incident, alleging that some officers had yet to realise that the government had changed. He claimed that an officer previously accused of assaulting Congress workers inside a police station was behind the arrangement and had directed that shirts and dhotis be provided.

The controversy erupted after the accused, who had secured bail in the ED assault case, celebrated Onam outside the Museum police station while appearing there to sign the bail register. Videos of the celebration were later edited into reels and circulated on social media.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman