Sessions Court Reveals Police Shielded Ex-CM Pinarayi's Guards from Prosecution

Police in Kerala tried to protect former Chief Minister Pinarayi's security personnel from facing charges in a Youth Congress attack case, according to documents presented before a Sessions Court on Friday. The Special Investigation Team told the court that law enforcement officers attempted to obstruct the investigation into the 2015 incident in which Congress workers were assaulted during a protest march. The revelations have renewed scrutiny of how police handle cases involving politically connected individuals in the state.

What the SIT Found

The Special Investigation Team submitted its findings to Sessions Court Judge C. R. Renjith, revealing that senior police officers pressured junior investigators to exclude certain evidence from the case file. Investigators said the goal was to prevent charges from being filed against members of the former chief minister's security detail. The court heard that officers altered witness statements and delayed questioning of suspects for several weeks after the attack.

According to the SIT report, one officer instructed investigators to focus only on private individuals involved in the incident and ignore those accompanying the former chief minister. The Special Investigation Team documented these instructions in internal communications obtained during its inquiry. The court also received copies of phone records showing repeated contact between police officials and representatives of the former CM's office during the critical early days of the investigation.

The 2015 Attack

Youth Congress workers were conducting a peaceful protest march in Thiruvananthapuram when they were attacked by individuals later identified as being part of Pinarayi's security convoy. Several activists suffered injuries requiring medical treatment. Initial investigations failed to identify any members of the security detail as suspects, despite multiple eyewitness accounts placing them at the scene. The victims filed complaints alleging that police ignored their evidence and refused to register charges against the guards.

Baiju Paulose has been listed as an accused in the case. The prosecution claims he coordinated with security personnel during the attack. His lawyers have denied any involvement, arguing that the charges are politically motivated. The Sessions Court will hear additional arguments next month before deciding whether to proceed with the case against all suspects.

Why the SIT Was Formed

The Kerala High Court ordered the creation of the Special Investigation Team after the original police investigation faced criticism for what judges called "glaring omissions." The High Court noted that key evidence had been left out of the case file and that witnesses had been intimidated. Justices directed the SIT to conduct an independent review and report back with findings. Friday's court appearance marks the first time these internal documents have been presented publicly.

Congress party leaders in Kerala welcomed the revelations, saying they vindicate years of campaigning for justice. Party workers say they faced retaliation for pursuing the case, with several filing their own complaints against activists who raised questions about the police response. The opposition has used the case to attack the state government, claiming authorities prioritised protecting powerful figures over holding their guards accountable.

Legal Consequences

If the court accepts the SIT findings, several police officers could face charges for obstructing justice and manipulating evidence. The officers named in the report include a senior superintendent who allegedly coordinated the cover-up and two inspectors who carried out the instructions. Their defence lawyers argue the officers made reasonable investigative choices and deny any deliberate attempt to shield suspects. The court has given both sides until the end of the month to submit final arguments.

The case against Baiju Paulose and the security personnel remains pending. Legal experts say the SIT findings strengthen the prosecution's position by demonstrating a pattern of attempted interference. However, they caution that convictions in such cases are difficult to secure. The accused retain the presumption of innocence unless a court finds them guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Community Response in Kerala

Residents in Thiruvananthapuram say the case has damaged trust in local police. Several business owners near where the attack occurred told local media they witnessed the incident but declined to cooperate with initial investigations because they feared retaliation. Some said they only agreed to provide statements after the SIT guaranteed their safety. Community leaders have called for reforms to prevent similar interference in future cases.

Youth Congress members who participated in the 2015 protest say they never stopped pursuing justice despite years of setbacks. They point to the SIT report as proof that their allegations were correct from the beginning. The activists plan to hold a public meeting next week to discuss the implications of the findings. Many say they hope the case will encourage other victims of politically connected violence to come forward.

What Happens Next

The Sessions Court will resume hearings on 15 April, when both the prosecution and defence will present their final submissions. Judge Renjith is expected to rule on whether the case can proceed against the security personnel within six weeks. If the court approves the expanded charges, a trial date will be set for later this year. The police officers accused of obstruction will face a separate disciplinary hearing scheduled by the state government for next month.

Citizens should watch for the court's ruling on evidence admissibility, which could determine whether the cover-up allegations can be pursued as criminal offences. The outcome will likely influence how Kerala handles future cases involving high-profile political figures and their security details.