Sanction Required for CM Vijayan's Prosecution in Kerala Conflict Case

A Kerala court determined on Thursday that approval from the Governor is essential for initiating legal proceedings against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, connected to altercations during the government's outreach programme, 'Nava Kerala Sadas'.

The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate noted that such sanction is mandatory for prosecuting elected officials. The ruling came in response to a plea by Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Muhammed Shiyas, who requested the registration of a case against Vijayan related to various incidents of violence observed during the 2023 programme.

Allegations have surfaced of assaults on Kerala Students Union and Youth Congress members by activists from the CPI(M)'s Democratic Youth Federation of India and the Chief Minister's security staff, allegedly triggered by protests featuring black flags shown to Vijayan. The court is expected to revisit the case on November 1.

(With inputs from agencies.)