The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the alleged atrocities committed by police personnel against Youth Congress workers during the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s Navakerala Sadas vehicle rally in 2023 submitted its report to the Alappuzha Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. The report found that five policemen involved in the controversial ‘rescue operation’ were guilty.

According to the report, police officers identified as Anilkumar, the gunman and S Sandeep, security officer of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, police personnel Shaiju, Vipin and Arun were found responsible for the assault . The gunman and security offer attached to the former Chief Minister were not charged in the case earlier, though the report allegedly found lapses on their part as well. The report has been submitted after finding the policemen guilty. It will also be submitted to the State Police Chief, recommending departmental action against the five officers.

The report revealed that the Youth Congress workers were assaulted despite having been stopped by the local police. It also recorded statements from officers who were in charge of the case at the time, stating that ADGP M.R. Ajith Kumar, who was overseeing law and order then, had directly intervened to protect the gunmen in the case involving the assault on Youth Congress and KSU workers who staged a black flag protest against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the State government would initiate legal action against the accused as soon as the SIT report was submitted.