Kerala Police chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar has confirmed the arrest of eight people so far in connection with the violent attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials after one was raided in the rented house where former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was staying.
In an interview with reporters, after a meeting with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, the state police chief stated that the investigation is in the right direction and additional suspects involved in the violence have already been identified. He further said that strict action will be taken against all those behind attacking the ED team and security personnel.
Chandrasekhar said when information about the ED operation came through, adequate police deployment was arranged near the residence of Vijayan. But he explained that the central agency had not prewarned the police of the raid.
The Kerala Police has booked almost 300 people in connection with the incident, officials said. Some serious charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked, such as unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, wrongful restraint, and attempt to murder. Additional charges of Prevention of Damage to Public Property have been added as well.
The investigation is continuing, police officials said, and more arrests are likely in the coming days.