Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the government will take strict action against any attempt to dilute the investigation and legal process in the case in which a scribe died after being hit by a car driven by an allegedly drunk IAS officer.
Mr. Vijayan also said it was a known fact that the car was driven at a high-speed.
“We know that the car which killed KM Basheer was on a high speed...initial investigation reports also suggest that the accident occurred due to the influence of drugs,” he said.
The Kerala High Court refused to stay a magistrate court order granting bail to suspended IAS officer Sriram Venkitaraman who was arrested for alleged drunken driving that caused the journalist’s death.
“We will not let anyone to dilute the probe and the legal process in the matter and if anyone attempts, we will take strong action against them,” Mr. Vijayan said.
However, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala ridiculed Mr. Vijayan’s statement that the IAS officer was under the influence of drugs while driving the car causing the accident.
“Chief Minister says the officer was under the influence of drugs. But the police is yet to believe this.
“This shows that the CM, who is also the home minister, is a failure. Police was attempting to derail the investigation from the beginning,” Mr. Chennithala alleged.