Crime Branch police to probe Assembly ruckus

The Crime Branch wing of Kerala Police would investigate the case related March 13 ruckus in the state Assembly and damage caused to properties in the House, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said today.
The case has been handed over to crime branch as per the request of the local police, he told reporters here.
DGP K S Balasubramaniam, who was also present at the press meet, said the complaint lodged by the Secretary of the Kerala Legislature had been given to the Crime Branch.
On the complaint of LDF women legislators that the UDF MLAs had harassed them, Chennithala said necessary steps would be taken after getting legal advise.

The Secretary had submitted a written complaint to the Director General of Police (DGP) about the violent incidents in the House on the Budget presentation day, leading to destruction of property valued by officials to a tune of Rs 5 lakh.
Acting on the complaint, a case had been registered against some opposition MLAs under relevant section of Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act and IPC sections 447 (criminal trespass) and 427 (mischief causing damage).
CPI-M led LDF members' agitation against Finance Minister K M Mani demanding his resignation in view of bribery charges against him in the bar scam turned violent when the Minister began presenting the state Budget for 2015-16 on March 13.

Besides throwing Speaker's chair from the podium, electronic equipment like computer, keyboard and mikes on the desk of the presiding officer were also damaged by LDF members.