Setback for Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan: Court asks police to register case against Jayarajan for IndiGo brawl

IndiGo has imposed a flying ban on Kerala ruling front LDF's Convenor EP Jayarajan and two Youth Congress workers.

Updated Jul 20, 2022, 19:25 IST

Kerala ruling front LDF's Convenor EP Jayarajan

Photo : IANS

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major embarrassment to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a court on Wednesday ordered police to file a case against Left Democratic Front's Convenor EP Jayarajan and two Youth Congress workers in connection with the 'brawl' incident that took place onboard an IndiGo flight on June 13.

The court's order came on a petition filed filed by two Youth Congress workers, who were arrested in an attempt to murder case for 'plotting' the protest against CM Vijayan onboard the IndiGo flight. Currently, the two Congress workers are out on bail.

The brawl incident onboard triggered a fresh political slugfest between the ruling Left and Congress.

Following the brawl incident, IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline, imposed a flying ban on Jayarajan and two Youth Congress workers.

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan had also demanded a case be registered against Jayarajan, which was rejected by the Kerala CM. "The Chief Minister said in the Assembly that Jayarajan did not commit any crime. A case should be registered against Jayarajan who beat up the protesting Youth Congress workers," he told mediapersons in the state capital.

Kerala LDF Convenor downplayed the court's order, saying that it is a normal practice and nothing more need to be seen into it.

"This is a conspiracy against the Chief Minister and the involvement of state Congress president K Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan cannot be ruled out," said Jayarajan.

The brawl incident happened when two protestors shouted slogans against Vijayan onboard the IndiGo aircraft. Jayarajan was accused of pushing aside the two protesters.

Reacting to IndiGo's decision to ban him, Vijayan said neither him nor his family will ever travel by Indigo again. "I will walk to my destination if required but will not travel on their planes," he said.

CPI (M) reacted strongly to IndiGo's decision to ban its members and urged the airline to re-examine its decision.

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