A judicial magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram has taken significant action in a controversial case involving the obstruction of a state transport bus. The court has issued formal notices to former mayor Arya Rajendran and her husband, MLA Sachin Dev, based on a complaint filed by KSRTC bus driver Yadu.
The Core of the Legal Challenge
The court's intervention stems from a petition that challenges the police's chargesheet, which notably excluded both Arya Rajendran and Sachin Dev as accused. The case relates to an incident where a private vehicle, carrying the former mayor and the MLA, allegedly blocked a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus on a public road in the state capital.
Police had filed a chargesheet that only included a petty case against the former mayor's brother, Aravind, for blocking the vehicle. This omission of the two prominent political figures from the chargesheet prompted the driver, Yadu, to approach the court seeking justice.
A Controversial Incident and Missing Evidence
The altercation took place on April 27, 2024, near the Palayam Safalyam Complex. According to the complaint, the private vehicle occupied by Arya and Sachin obstructed the KSRTC bus, leading to a heated argument. Driver Yadu alleged that the duo also used abusive language during the confrontation.
Initially, the police did not register a case based on Yadu's complaint. It was only after a court directive that a formal case was registered, naming Arya Rajendran, Sachin Dev, Arya's brother Aravind, and his wife as the accused.
A major twist in the investigation is the disappearance of a crucial piece of evidence – the memory card containing the CCTV footage from the bus. The Museum police, who are investigating a separate complaint of obscene gestures allegedly made by driver Yadu towards the former mayor, confirmed that the card has not been found. The investigation into its disappearance has stalled. Yadu has alleged that the card was deliberately hidden to shield the former mayor.
Counter-Allegations and Ongoing Proceedings
In a parallel development, the police have informed that they will soon file a chargesheet against bus driver Yadu for allegedly making obscene gestures towards Arya Rajendran when their vehicle overtook the KSRTC bus. This chargesheet has reportedly been prepared.
The court's issuance of notices to the former mayor and the MLA marks a new chapter in this legally and politically sensitive case. It brings the spotlight back on the allegations of preferential treatment and the integrity of the investigation, especially concerning the missing CCTV evidence. The next steps in the judicial process will be closely watched.
