Thiruvananthapuram: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday decided to implead itself in the matter relating to the alleged attack on its officials during a raid linked to the CMRL-Exalogic case, following the grant of bail to one of the accused.
The attack happened outside the rented residence of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, where his daughter Veena Vijayan lives, who is an accused in the CMRL-Exalogic case.
After questioning her at Vijayan’s rented home here in the last week of May, the ED officials were attacked by pro-CPI(M) workers when they were leaving.
On that day, only Veena was questioned, according to Vijayan.
The agency is expected to file its objections before the court after Harish Kumar, the ninth accused in the case, secured bail from a Thiruvananthapuram court on Wednesday.
The development has also triggered a review within the state police, with officials expressing concern over the prosecution’s handling of the matter.
The Museum Police have recommended the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor in place of the current District Prosecutor.
The Station House Officer has reportedly written to the City Police Commissioner seeking urgent intervention.
Police sources said they would move a higher court seeking cancellation of Harish Kumar’s bail.
During the bail proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the accused was no longer required in custody for further interrogation.
The court subsequently allowed the bail plea.
The case stems from the alleged assault on ED officials who had arrived to conduct searches as part of the agency’s investigation into financial transactions linked to Veena Vijayan.
The ED’s decision to become a party to the proceedings underscores the seriousness with which the central agency views the case.
Senior officials are understood to be examining the circumstances surrounding the bail order and the subsequent legal implications.
Investigators fear that the bail granted to one accused could encourage similar applications from other accused persons in the case, potentially affecting the course of the investigation.
The police and the ED are now expected to coordinate closely as legal proceedings enter a crucial phase.
The case has attracted significant political attention in Kerala, with both the investigation into the alleged financial transactions and the attack on central agency officials remaining under intense public scrutiny.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Veena was being questioned for the second time in the case at the Kochi ED office.
(IANS)
