In a major development in the alleged attack on former Kerala Health Minister Veena George, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday informed the court that none of the charges against the five KSU activists involved in the case can be sustained.

SIT head U. Preman submitted the final report before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kannur, stating that the activists had not committed any of the offences mentioned in the charge sheet.

The report says charges of rioting and trespassing into the railway premises will not stand.

It also makes it clear that the protesters did not obstruct the police from performing their official duties.

A black-flag protest, the SIT says, does not amount to a criminal offence.

The latest report marks a significant turn in the case, which had attracted considerable political attention after the police invoked serious charges, including attempt to murder, against the five Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) activists.

The SIT has found that the activists did not attack Veena George.

It has also said that the protesters never managed to reach her during the demonstration at Kannur railway station, early this year.

The alleged assault charge could not be established after the former minister’s gunman, Abhilash, changed his statement before the investigating team.

He told the SIT that he had not seen the protesters attempting to attack Veena George.

The original case was based largely on his statement that the protesters had attempted to assault the minister using weapons.

However, the SIT could not recover the weapons allegedly used in the incident.

The investigation found that what took place was a scuffle between the KSU activists and the police.

The team had earlier submitted a report to the Director General of Police (DGP), pointing out that the protest had been exaggerated and that the activists had not reached the former minister.

The gunman also reportedly told the SIT that he had given a false statement at Veena George’s direction.

This disclosure had raised questions over the original version of the incident.

The latest report before the court now places the entire case in a different light, with the SIT concluding that the protesters cannot be prosecuted for the offences originally alleged against them.

The case had become a major political controversy, with the Congress and the CPI(M) taking sharply opposing positions over the incident.

The CPI (M), as soon as the incident occurred in February, staged protest marches as elections were round the corner.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for rescuing 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates in a coordinated operation in the Arabian Sea.

Appreciating the Indian Armed Forces for their efforts, the Iranian Embassy said the operation reflected India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and its role in saving lives beyond borders.

In a post on X, the Embassy said: “The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for their successful operation to rescue the 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates.”

“We highly commend the professionalism, courage and effective coordination demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting India’s strong commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and its role in saving lives beyond borders,” It added.

The embassy highlighted that this humanitarian operation stands as a testament to the “spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Iran and India.”

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all those involved in ensuring the safe rescue of the Iranian crew.”

The Indian Navy rescued all 20 crew members of the pirated fishing vessel Azini in a meticulously coordinated 48-hour operation, more than 3,000 km from Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

The operation was successfully carried out on November 2, with the Navy locating and intercepting the vessel and securing the safe release of all crew members from heavily armed pirates.

Congratulating the Indian Navy on the successful mission, the Defence Minister said that the operation demonstrated the force’s high operational readiness and its ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region.

In a post on X, Singh said: “My congratulations to #Indian Navy for successfully executing a meticulously coordinated 48-hour operation to rescue all 20 crew members of the pirated fishing vessel, Azini, more than 3000 km from Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, on 02 Nov 26.”

“The swift localisation, interception and safe release of the crew and vessel from significantly-armed pirates, with timely support from the Indian Air Force, speak well of the Indian Navy’s high operational readiness and ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region,” he added.

Praising the personnel involved, the Defence Minister said: “Our brave personnel have once again demonstrated India’s ability, intent and resolve to safeguard lives, uphold maritime security and ensure stability across the Indian Ocean Region.”

Reiterating India’s commitment to maritime security, Singh said the country would continue to work towards ensuring safe seas and a free, open and secure Indian Ocean Region.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will undertake a one-day visit to Raipur on Wednesday to inaugurate a private hospital and the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Park, and to participate in the closing ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav.

According to the revised official itinerary issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, HM Shah will arrive in Raipur at 2:40 p.m. on a special Indian Air Force aircraft. At 3:00 p.m., he will attend the inauguration of a private hospital on Mandi Road in Pandri. At 4:50 p.m., he will reach Peepal Van in Sector-16 of Naya Raipur (Atal Nagar) to inaugurate the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Park. Thereafter, he will proceed to the Rajyotsav Ground in Naya Raipur to attend the closing ceremony of the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav, scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as the chief guest.

The closing ceremony, to be held on November 3 — the final day of the Rajyotsav — will be a major highlight. During the event, distinguished individuals who have made notable contributions across various fields and disciplines in the state will be honoured with ‘State Awards’ (Rajya Alankaran), where HM Shah will be the chief guest. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will also be present at the function.

The awards ceremony aims to recognise talents from Chhattisgarh who have brought pride to the state through their dedication, hard work and achievements in art, culture, literature and social service, and to inspire the younger generation.

Cultural programmes will begin at 6:00 p.m. with folk music performances by artists from the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, followed by a presentation by Padma Shri awardee Usha Barle.

The State Awards ceremony will be held from 7:00 p.m. onwards. Later, Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya will perform popular songs, bringing the three-day Rajyotsav to a musical close. After the conclusion of the event, the Union Home Minister will depart for New Delhi at 8:20 p.m.