Thiruvananthapuram, 18 June (H.S.):The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of record tampering in the assault case involving Youth Congress workers during the Navakerala Yatra conducted a search at the office of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M.R. Ajith Kumar on Thursday.

The inspection focused on visitor registers, CCTV footage from the ADGP’s office, and records maintained at the Police Club as investigators sought to verify claims that official case documents were altered after the incident. The search was carried out by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Baiju Paulose.

The case relates to an incident during the Navakerala Yatra in Alappuzha, where Youth Congress activists were allegedly assaulted by members of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s security detail, including his gunmen. During the course of the investigation, the SIT reportedly received statements alleging that documents connected to the case were modified at the office of the then Law and Order ADGP, M.R. Ajith Kumar.

According to the statements, two police officers attached to the ADGP’s office had initially examined the case records, following which corrections or alterations were allegedly made from within the office. Acting on these claims, the SIT launched a detailed verification process, making Thursday’s inspection the first search conducted at the ADGP’s office in connection with the investigation.

Investigators are expected to examine electronic records, access logs and surveillance footage to establish whether any changes were made to official documents and, if so, under whose direction.

Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has sought responses from five police officers who are accused in the assault case after the state government challenged the anticipatory bail granted to them by a lower court.

The government has appealed against the anticipatory bail granted by the Alappuzha Principal Sessions Court to five accused policemen, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s gunmen Anil Kalliyoor and Sandeep. Justice Honey M. Varghese had earlier granted them pre-arrest bail.

The High Court has directed the accused officers to submit their replies by June 27 while considering the government’s plea seeking cancellation of their bail. The matter is expected to come up for further hearing later this month.

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

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman