Kannur, 11 June (H.S.): Police have dropped serious charges, including attempt to murder, in the case related to the alleged attack on former Kerala Health Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station earlier this year, concluding that the investigation found no evidence to support the allegations.

The incident occurred on February 25 during a protest staged by Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists, who were demonstrating against what they claimed was a rise in incidents of medical negligence in the state. Veena George had alleged that protesters attempted to harm her while she was at the railway station. Following the complaint, police arrested five KSU activists.

The First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Railway Police had included serious allegations that the protesters attempted to murder the minister and attacked her using a weapon. Veena George had later sought medical treatment after reportedly experiencing neck pain following the incident.

The case triggered widespread political controversy across Kannur district, with allegations emerging that CPI(M) workers had attacked Congress offices in the aftermath of the incident.

However, police officials said a detailed investigation failed to uncover any evidence indicating that there had been an attempt on the minister’s life or that any weapon had been used during the protest. Investigators examined multiple video recordings, including CCTV footage from the railway station, as part of the probe.

Based on the findings, police have submitted a chargesheet before the Magistrate Court, removing the attempt-to-murder and weapon-related charges that were included in the original FIR.

While the most serious charges have been dropped, several offences linked to the protest have been retained in the chargesheet. These include charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties.

In addition, provisions of the Indian Railways Act relating to trespassing and creating public nuisance on railway premises have also been invoked against the accused.

Police sources said the absence of evidence supporting the allegations of an attempt to murder or use of weapons marked a significant turning point in the case, which had generated considerable political attention in Kerala earlier this year.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman