Thiruvananthapuram, 23 June (H.S.):A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged assault on Youth Congress and KSU activists during the Navakerala Yatra has reportedly found evidence of interference in the original investigation and submitted its findings to the State Police Chief.

According to sources, the SIT report was handed directly to the Director General of Police (DGP) by the investigation team chief, SP Shoukath Ali. The report is understood to contain statements from officers who initially investigated the case, along with details regarding alleged alterations made to the case diary during the course of the probe.

However, the report is not believed to contain any specific recommendation for disciplinary or criminal action. The State government's response to the findings, particularly regarding former ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar, is expected to be crucial in determining the next course of action.

The case relates to an incident during the previous LDF government's Navakerala Yatra, when KSU and Youth Congress activists who protested against the convoy of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were allegedly assaulted by police personnel assigned to his security detail, including members of his gunman team.

During the reinvestigation, officers associated with the original probe reportedly told the SIT that they had been summoned to an office where the case diary was altered. They alleged that records were modified under pressure and that the process took place with the knowledge of then ADGP Ajith Kumar.

The officers further stated that two Grade Sub-Inspectors, identified as Girish and Sreekanth, had allegedly made changes to official records and intimidated investigators. Sources said the two officers also admitted during questioning by the SIT that the alterations were carried out with the knowledge of senior officials.

The SIT was constituted after the UDF government assumed office and ordered a fresh investigation into the case. Earlier, the team had submitted reports to both the court and the DGP naming five individuals, including the former Chief Minister's gunman, as accused in the alleged assault.

Police sources indicated that a departmental inquiry at the DGP level against former ADGP Ajith Kumar may now be ordered based on the SIT findings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman