Thiruvananthapuram, May 28 (PTI) Eight people have been arrested so far in connection with the violent attack on vehicles belonging to ED officials, who raided the rented house of former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan the previous day, state police chief Ravadha A Chandrasekhar said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala at his residence, Chandrasekhar said the investigation into the incident was on track and more people involved in the violence had been identified.
The police chief said that he discussed with the Minister of the Interior the issue of violence against the raiding teams. “He has instructed to take strong action against the culprits,” Chandrasekhar said.
He added that eight accused were arrested and more people were identified.
He said that adequate number of police personnel were deployed at various locations near Vijayan’s house after receiving information about the Enforcement Directorate’s raid.
Chandrasekhar said the police had not received prior information about the raid.
He said, “They (the Executive Directorate) did not inform us, but as soon as the operation began, we took action and deployed security.”
About 300 people have been booked by the Kerala Police after the alleged attack on ED officials and security personnel.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those dealing with unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, unlawful restraint and attempt to murder. The charges were also invoked under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Among the most serious charges is attempted murder under Article 109 of the National Security Law, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or life imprisonment if serious injuries occur.
The First Information Report (FIR), registered by the Museum Police Station, alleges that some members of the crowd attacked the officers traveling with the Enforcement Directorate team using sticks, resulting in an officer sustaining a hand injury.
Stones and bricks were allegedly thrown at the two vehicles, seriously injuring the driver of one of the vehicles.
Security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force and Kerala Police, who tried to control the situation, were also attacked, the FIR said.
A number of officers were injured during the violence.
Police said the attackers also damaged official vehicles, causing losses estimated at approx $3 lakh.
Officials said the accused have been identified, although they have not yet been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
The ED raids were linked to financial dealings between Vijayan’s daughter’s company and a sand mining company.
A total of 10 premises in Kerala, including Vijayan’s rented house in Bakery Junction and his permanent residence in Kannur, were raided by the ED on Wednesday as part of its probe into his daughter Veena T in the CMRL money laundering case.
