Kerala Health Minister Veena George Returns to Duty with Cervical Collar as Court Denies Bail for Alleged Attackers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Thiruvananthapuram, March 3 (NationPress) A court in Kerala's Kannur on Tuesday denied the bail request of five KSU activists implicated in the alleged murder attempt on state Health Minister Veena George.
The Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court dismissed the bail applications after considering extensive arguments from both parties.
The defense argued that the incident at Kannur railway station last week was merely a black flag demonstration, asserting that the murder attempt charges were unsubstantiated.
They pointed out that no weapon had been recovered and emphasized that the police had not proven what, if anything, was used during the supposed attack.
Moreover, the defense claimed that the minister, who initially exhibited poor health and was unable to provide a statement, later communicated with television channels.
The prosecution countered by requesting custody of the accused, claiming that further examination of additional CCTV footage was necessary, and that more individuals were implicated in the incident.
They argued that a minor weapon could have been utilized and that pressure had been applied to the minister’s neck.
In light of the prosecution's arguments, the court ruled against granting bail.
The accused are set to appear in court again on March 5.
Following the incident on February 25, the Minister was initially admitted to Kannur district hospital and later transferred to Pariyaram Kannur Medical College.
After spending a day there, she discharged herself against medical advice and undertook a journey of more than 350 km in her official vehicle back to her home in Pathanamthitta district.
On Tuesday, making her first public appearance since the incident, George attended a meeting wearing a cervical collar, an image that quickly attracted public attention.
During the 2021 Assembly election campaign, she had also been seen with a cervical collar, a detail that has resurfaced amid intensified political discussions.
As Assembly elections loom, the case has gained a more pronounced political dimension, despite ongoing legal proceedings and the flood of social media trolls accusing her of staging a 'fake drama'.