Veena George assault case: Kerala Students Union activists denied bail

The Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists remanded in connection with the alleged attack on Health Minister Veena George during a protest at the Kannur railway station on February 25.

The court dismissed the application after hearing detailed arguments from both sides. The accused will be produced before the court again on March 5.

The defence argued that the incident at the Kannur railway station was “merely a black flag protest and did not amount to an attempt to murder.” It contended that the charge under attempt to murder was unsustainable and exaggerated. The defence also pointed out that although the Minister was reportedly unwell and unable to give a statement, she had appeared and spoken on television channels.

The defence further argued that the police had neither recovered any weapon nor established what was allegedly used in the incident.

Opposing the plea, the prosecution sought custody of the accused, stating that more CCTV footage needed to be examined and that additional persons were involved in the incident.

The prosecution argued that the accused might have used a small weapon and claimed that there had been pressure applied to the Minister’s neck during the protest. The prosecution insisted that custodial interrogation was necessary for further investigation.

Accepting the prosecution’s contention that further probe and custody were required, the court rejected the bail plea of the KSU activists.