Thalassery Sessions Court has granted conditional bail to five leaders of the Kerala Students Union (KSU), previously arrested and remanded following an incident at Kannur Railway Station on February 25, 2026. The court's decision hinges significantly on the prosecution's failure to present evidence of weapons used or corroborate claims of a premeditated attack on Kerala Health Minister Veena George.
The KSU activists, identified as M.C. Athul, V.V. Akshay, Bithul Balan, C.H. Mubas, and Ahmed Yaseen, were initially booked under charges including attempt to murder. However, the court noted that no weapons were recovered from the accused, and the wound certificate of the Minister's gunman also indicated no weapon was used. Further undermining the prosecution's case, the court observed that the investigating officer had not yet recorded the Health Minister's statement and that police officers on duty reported the protesters were unarmed. The bail conditions require the activists to appear before the investigating officer every Monday and refrain from any further criminal activity.
Read More: Swinney Asks UK Govt About US Military Flights Through Prestwick Airport
The Incident and Initial Charges
The events unfolded on February 25, 2026, when KSU activists waved black flags at Minister Veena George at Kannur Railway Station, demanding her resignation. Following the protest, the police registered an attempt to murder case based on a complaint from the Minister's gunman. The initial FIR alleged that the KSU activists attacked the minister with a 'weapon', striking her on the neck. Minister George was reportedly treated for injuries to her neck and hand, with a medical team formed to assess her condition. The severity of these injuries, however, remained a point of contention, with one report noting the medical bulletin was silent on the specifics of any injury.
Shifting Legal Landscape
Prior to the bail, a Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kannur had rejected the activists' bail plea on March 3, 2026. At that time, the prosecution asserted that the accused used a dangerous weapon with the intention of killing the minister. However, subsequent developments, including the testimony of police officers from Kannur Town Police Station, indicated that the protesters were unarmed and that the incident involved only pushing and jostling. The lack of visual evidence showing protesters physically attacking the minister has also been cited as a factor fueling political controversy surrounding the case.
Read More: Kerala High Court Removes SNDP Leaders for Not Filing Financial Reports
Broader Context and Political Reactions
The KSU protest and subsequent arrests have been situated within a wider political context. Following the incident, CPI(M) workers reportedly organized marches and counter-protests, with one instance of a Congress booth committee office being set ablaze in Kodiyeri. Congress and KSU leaders have publicly denied the allegations of an attack on the health minister, framing the event as a legitimate protest.