Why is the Court Upset Over the Delay in Chargesheet Regarding the In-Flight Protest Against CM Vijayan?
Synopsis
The Thiruvananthapuram District Principal Sessions Court has voiced serious concerns over the prolonged delay in the chargesheet regarding a protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This case, stemming from a protest on a flight, raises critical questions about political accountability and legal processes.
Key Takeaways
Thiruvananthapuram District Principal Sessions Court criticized delays in legal proceedings.
The case involves a protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan .
Serious charges include attempted murder and criminal conspiracy .
The delay stems from the lack of Union government sanction .
Political accountability remains a critical issue in high-profile cases.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 (NationPress) The District Principal Sessions Court in Thiruvananthapuram expressed strong dissatisfaction over the delay in the submission of the chargesheet concerning a protest and the alleged assassination attempt on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a flight.
The court questioned the reasons for the chargesheet's absence even after three years have elapsed since the incident.
The prosecution explained that the delay stemmed from the lack of sanction from the Union government, which became necessary after invoking provisions of the civil aviation law.
The court deemed this explanation unsatisfactory and voiced concerns regarding the extensive delay in a serious case involving the Chief Minister.
This discussion occurred as the court reviewed a petition from the first accused, Farzin Majeed, requesting permission to renew his passport.
The matter originated from an event on June 13, 2022, when Youth Congress activists protested against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during a flight from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram.
The protest onboard the aircraft ignited a significant political controversy, leading to serious criminal charges being filed.
The individuals accused in the case include four Congress workers: Congress State Vice-President and former MLA Sabarinath, Farzin Majeed, Naveen Kumar, and Sunith.
The allegations suggest that they attempted to assassinate the Chief Minister while on the aircraft.
They face charges including attempted murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation.
The chargesheet was submitted to the Union government in April 2024 for approval.
As of now, this approval remains pending, keeping the case at a preliminary stage.
The incident also had immediate repercussions, as CPI(M) leader E.P. Jayarajan, who was also on the flight, was reportedly involved in a scuffle with the protesters.
In the aftermath, the airline imposed a three-week flying ban on him.
Frustrated by this decision, Jayarajan publicly declared he would never again fly with IndiGo.
However, this ban was short-lived; in 2024, he flew with IndiGo to attend the funeral of CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, breaking his previous vow.
The case has also led to counter-complaints.
Following petitions from the accused Youth Congress workers, separate cases were initiated against Jayarajan, the Chief Minister’s gunman Anil Kumar, and personal aide Suneesh, as directed by the Thiruvananthapuram Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.
Point of View
The Thiruvananthapuram District Principal Sessions Court's criticism of the delays in legal proceedings involving Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlights the ongoing struggle for justice in high-profile cases. Such incidents must be addressed with urgency to uphold the faith of the public in the legal system, ensuring that justice is not delayed, especially in cases involving significant political figures.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the delay in filing the chargesheet?
The prosecution cited the absence of sanction from the Union government as the primary reason for the delay in filing the chargesheet.
Who are the accused in the case?
The accused include four Congress workers: Sabarinath, Farzin Majeed, Naveen Kumar, and Sunith, who are alleged to have attempted to assassinate the Chief Minister.
What are the charges filed against the accused?
The accused face multiple serious charges, including attempted murder, attempted culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation.
What was the outcome of the protest on the flight?
The protest led to significant political controversy and the subsequent registration of serious criminal charges against the accused.
What was the reaction of E.P. Jayarajan following the incident?
Following the incident, E.P. Jayarajan faced a flying ban from the airline and publicly declared he would never fly with IndiGo again, although he later broke this vow.
