Thiruvananthapuram: The vehicle used by the accused in the AKG Center Attack case has been taken into custody by the Crime Branch. The crime branch seized the Deo scooter used by Jithin from Kadhamkulam, Kazhakutam. The scooter is said to belong to Sudheesh, a native of Kazhakoottam, the former driver of Youth Congress district secretary Suhail Shahjahan, who is wanted by the police in the case. Sudheesh is now abroad.
The Thiruvananthapuram 1st District Magistrate’s Court yesterday rejected the bail application of the accused Jit. Jitin has been accused in previous cases. The court case accepted the prosecution’s argument that if Jit was granted bail, he would influence the witnesses.
The defense argued that despite taking the accused into custody, the police could not collect any evidence. The prosecution also argued that Jit should not be granted bail as there were more accused in the conspiracy to be found. Jit’s bail plea was rejected after a detailed argument. Jit was arrested by the Crime Branch in connection with the attack on the AKG Center on September 22.
The attack on the AKG Center took place on June 30. The crime branch had said that the t-shirt and shoes worn by the accused that day had reached Jitin. According to the report presented by the police to the court, the shoes were found from the place where the accused confessed to the crime. Police say another important piece of evidence, the t-shirt, was left in Velikaal. After taking the evidence to the place, he was also taken to the shop where he bought the t-shirt.
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The crime branch caught the accused months after the incident. The delay in arresting the accused was criticized by many. On July 23, the DGP transferred the case to the crime branch and issued an order. Although the CCTV footage of the attack was immediately collected, the police could not reach the accused. Around 50 CCTV footage and more than 1000 phone records were checked but to no avail. The Forensic Department had stated that non-explosive materials were used in the attack on the AKG Centre. The investigation was carried out under the supervision of the head of the crime branch.
Earlier, the crime branch had stated that the investigation into the case of the attack on the AKG center was focused on Youth Congress activists. After investigations conducted in different areas, the crime branch concluded that a gang from Kazhakoottam – Menamkulam was behind the attack. The investigation team had explained that there was some ambiguity in the statements of some of the suspects. The crime branch said the accused had been informed and more evidence was to be collected.
The crucial evidence obtained by the police was the CCTV footage of the AKG center where a man came on a scooter and set fire crackers. Apart from this CCTV footage, which was released within minutes of the incident, even months later, the police had no clue in the case. More than 100 CCTV images were examined. All the owners of the Dio scooter model suspected to have been ridden by the accused were questioned. Even the firecrackers were questioned. The failure to nab the accused even after months has led to several allegations and counter-allegations.
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