A final charge sheet has been filed in connection with the black flag protest against former Kerala Health Minister Veena George in Kannur, with investigators dropping several serious charges, including the allegation of attempted murder.
According to the charge sheet, the investigation team was unable to find evidence supporting claims that there was an attempt on the minister’s life or that she was attacked with weapons during the protest. As a result, the case has been substantially diluted and is now primarily related to the black flag demonstration staged by KSU activists.
The incident had generated significant political controversy when it occurred. At the time, the CPM alleged that the protest escalated into an attempt on Veena George’s life and claimed that she was physically assaulted. Party leaders had also alleged that the minister sustained injuries after her neck was forcefully grabbed during the protest.
Based on these allegations, police had initially invoked serious charges against the accused activists, including attempt to murder and assault using weapons. Several KSU activists were subsequently arrested and jailed under the stringent provisions.
The developments, closely followed by Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station, are expected to revive political debate over the handling of the case and the charges that were initially imposed.
With the filing of the final charge sheet, investigators have now concluded that evidence does not support the more serious allegations. Consequently, charges relating to attempted murder and weapon-based assault have been dropped from the case.
The decision is likely to strengthen the opposition’s earlier claims that the accused activists had been booked under exaggerated charges. Several opposition leaders, including MLA T.O. Mohanan, had previously approached the Home Department alleging that the KSU activists were falsely implicated and had been unjustly imprisoned under serious criminal sections.
The latest development marks a significant turn in the case, with the final investigation report effectively treating the incident as a protest demonstration rather than an attempted attack on the minister. Political reactions are expected as parties assess the implications of the revised findings.
