Kerala Police to form SIT for fresh probe into Veena George attack case

Kerala Police will constitute a Special Investigation Team to conduct a further probe into the alleged attack on former Health Minister Veena George by KSU activists. The decision follows petitions questioning the removal of attempt-to-murder charges from the charge sheet

Kannur (Kerala): Kerala Police will constitute a SIT to conduct a further probe into the alleged attack on former Health Minister Veena George by KSU activists during a protest at Kannur railway station in February this year, officials said on Sunday. Police sources said the Home Department decided to order a further investigation and constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) based on petitions filed by the Congress and KSU activists.

A Superintendent of Police (SP)-rank officer will head the SIT and oversee the further investigation into the incident, the sources said. An official order from the Home Department in this regard is expected soon. Police officials said that the demand for further probe was made as murder attempt charges were evoked against accused KSU activists initially and it was later dropped when the charge sheet was filed in court.

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The incident occurred on February 25 when five Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists, protesting against alleged incidents of medical negligence, approached George at Kannur railway station as she arrived to board a train.

Following the incident, George complained of neck pain and was admitted to a hospital. The incident had triggered widespread violence, with Congress offices allegedly attacked in Kannur and several other parts of Kerala. Based on a complaint lodged by George’s gunman, police registered a case of attempt to murder and arrested the five KSU activists.

The FIR had alleged that a weapon was used in the alleged attack on George. After the incident, KSU activists raised allegations of conspiracy behind the case, claiming that they did not reach near George and police blocked the protestors. However, in June this year, the investigating team filed a charge sheet before a court, dropping the charge of attempt to murder and other serious offences against the accused.