THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six LDF MLAs have been charge-sheeted by the Crime Branch in the case pertaining to the bedlam in the Assembly during last year’s budget presentation. CPM MLAs E.P. Jayarajan, V. Sivankutty, C.K. Sadasivan and K. Kunjahmed Master, K. Ajith of CPI and left independent K.T. Jaleel were arraigned as the accused. Various sections of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act were framed against the accused, which could attract a sentence and fine.
A Crime Branch team led by economic offences wing DySP A. Shanavaz filed the chargesheet at the judicial first class magistrate court here on March 28. The court also admitted the chargesheet and steps for trial were being initiated.
According to the Crime Branch, a team of PWD officials had estimated that damage to the tune of Rs 2 lakh was caused to the Assembly properties in the bedlam on March 13, 2015. The legislature secretariat authorities had earlier estimated the loss around Rs 5 lakh.
The case was initiated as per a petition filed by legislature secretary P.D. Sarangadharan. The Opposition’s bid to prevent the then Finance Minister K.M. Mani from presenting the budget owing to the bar bribery allegations had ended up in the bedlam. Electronic gadgets and furniture were damaged in the incident.
