Why Did the Centre Deny Prosecution Sanction for the 2022 Incident Involving CM Vijayan?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The refusal of the Centre to grant prosecution sanction in a high-profile case involving Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan raises serious questions about legal proceedings against Youth Congress members. Can the state government still pursue charges without central backing? This situation not only highlights political tensions but also the complexities of aviation law.
Key Takeaways
- The Centre denied prosecution sanction in a case involving CM Vijayan.
- Incident occurred on June 13, 2022 during an Indigo flight.
- Four individuals have been named as accused.
- Charges may focus on criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder.
- The state government faces uncertainty regarding legal proceedings.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Centre has denied prosecution sanction under aviation laws in the high-profile case accusing Youth Congress members of an ‘attempt to murder’ against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on an Indigo flight. This incident occurred on June 13, 2022, when three Youth Congress activists—Farseen Majeed, R.K. Naveen Kumar, and Sunit Narayanan—reportedly approached the Chief Minister during flight 6E-7407, traveling from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram.
In the aftermath, the CPI(M) has sought to leverage this incident to challenge the Congress leadership politically. According to police reports, the activists threatened the Chief Minister's life during their protest aboard the aircraft.
Former MLA and then Youth Congress vice-president K.S. Sabarinath has also been named as a co-conspirator, resulting in four individuals being accused in total.
The initial charges included not only an attempt to murder but also violations of the Aircraft Act, as their actions posed a threat to passengers and could have damaged the aircraft.
A special investigation team submitted its findings, prompting the state government to request the Centre's sanction for prosecution, as required by aviation laws. However, despite continual follow-ups over three years, the Centre has officially denied this request.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed the state government that the Aircraft Security Act is not applicable here. This lack of approval has hindered police from filing the charge sheet.
This setback for the prosecution leaves the state government uncertain about its next moves. The state Home Secretary is currently consulting with the state Police Chief regarding future actions.
The case had garnered considerable attention due to the serious nature of the allegations against a sitting Chief Minister on a commercial flight. With the Centre's refusal to apply aviation laws, the remaining charges may only focus on criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder as defined by the Indian Penal Code.
Point of View
It is crucial to emphasize that the integrity of legal processes must be upheld, regardless of political affiliations. The refusal of prosecution sanction is a pivotal moment that reflects the complexities of governance and law enforcement. The ongoing discussions between the state government and police indicate a commitment to navigating this challenging situation, ensuring that justice is pursued diligently.
NationPress
01/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the incident involving CM Pinarayi Vijayan?
The incident involved an alleged attempt to murder CM Pinarayi Vijayan by Youth Congress workers aboard an Indigo flight on June 13, 2022.
Why did the Centre deny prosecution sanction?
The Centre stated that the provisions of the Aircraft Security Act do not apply to this case, leading to the denial of prosecution sanction.
What are the implications of this refusal?
Without the Centre's sanction, the state police are unable to file a charge sheet, potentially complicating the legal proceedings against the accused.
Who are the accused in this case?
The accused include Farseen Majeed, R.K. Naveen Kumar, Sunit Narayanan, and K.S. Sabarinath.
What are the next steps for the state government?
The state Home Secretary is consulting with the Police Chief to determine how to proceed following the Centre's refusal.
