Assault on Idukki ADM: Bijimol withdraws anticipatory bail plea

Kochi: Peermade MLA E S Bijimol on Tuesday withdrew an anticipatory bail plea she filed in the high court in the case of assaulting Idukki additional district magistrate Moncy P Alexander.
Bijimol's counsel Ranjith Thampan sought to withdraw the petition, reserved by the high court after completion of hearing, during a special hearing.
He told Justice Sunil Thomas that another bench of the high court, considering a petition from the ADM, had severely criticized police for not arresting Bijimol and she didn't intend to proceed with the bail plea in such circumstances.
A single bench had, on Monday, asked the state police chief to take action against the investigating officer for not arresting the MLA.
The bench had, on September 7 last year, ordered a crime branch inquiry into the alleged assault in July.
The court had declined to accept an affidavit from the crime branch that there was no need to arrest the MLA at present.
It said the offence alleged against the MLA warranted imprisonment up to 10 years and fine, if proved.
The alleged assault took place while the ADM was trying to implement a high court order to reinstate a gate blocking a pathway through a private estate, Travancore Rubber and Tea Company Ltd, near Peruvanthanam in Idukki.