Thiruvananthapuram: Advocate A. Santhosh Kumar has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case related to the alleged attack on officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during a search at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition. Santhosh Kumar previously served as the District Government Pleader between 2011 and 2015.

He has earlier served as the Special Public Prosecutor in several high-profile cases, including the Kalluvathukkal hooch tragedy and the Cheriyathura police firing case. He replaces Geena Kumari, who had been handling the prosecution in the ED attack case. Santhosh Kumar is expected to appear before the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court when the case comes up for hearing on Monday.

The decision follows controversy over the court proceedings in which Geena Kumari argued that there was no need to take the ninth accused, Harish Kumar, into custody. The granting of bail to the ninth accused in the politically sensitive case sparked widespread criticism.

The investigating team had also written to the City Police Commissioner, requesting that the prosecutor be replaced. Against this backdrop, the government appointed Santhosh Kumar as the new Special Public Prosecutor.

Meanwhile, an official order removing Geena Kumari from the post is expected to be issued shortly. The police will also file an appeal before the Kerala High Court, challenging the bail granted to the accused.