Veena George in fresh trouble as gunman retracts statement
THE alleged attack on former Kerala Health Minister Veena George by Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists has taken a fresh turn, with her gunman reportedly telling the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that he made the claim of an armed attack on her instructions.
Gunman Abhilash told the SIT that he had not witnessed KSU activists attacking Veena and that his statement to the Railway Police was given at the direction of the then minister, according to reports.
His earlier statement had formed the basis for imposing serious charges, including attempted murder, against the arrested KSU activists. The latest disclosure has raised fresh questions about the investigation and the handling of the case.
The incident occurred at Kannur railway station towards the end of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government's tenure earlier this year. The arrested activists spent time in jail before securing bail.
The episode had attracted widespread criticism after Veena, who claimed to have sustained injuries in the incident, was discharged from a government hospital near Kannur within two days and subsequently travelled by road.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the subsequent handling of the case had also come under scrutiny.
The latest development adds to the political setbacks faced by Veena, who contested the Assembly election from Aranmula seeking a third consecutive victory but lost.
Although she continues as an invitee to the CPI(M) state committee, her political standing is believed to have weakened.
Veena's political rise was rapid. In 2016, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handpicked her from a television newsroom and fielded her as the CPI(M) candidate in Aranmula. She won the seat in her maiden contest and retained it in 2021.
Vijayan later appointed her Health Minister, a decision that drew attention because several senior party leaders were overlooked. However, her performance in the portfolio became a subject of debate towards the end of her tenure.
The Kannur incident further affected her public image. The gunman's reported statement to the SIT is now likely to intensify scrutiny of the case and raise questions about the basis on which serious charges were brought against the KSU activists.
The allegations concerning Veena and the handling of the case remain matters requiring verification through the SIT's findings and any subsequent legal proceedings.
