AK Saseendran row: Judicial probe into smutty talk

Thiruvananthapuram: The government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into the circumstances leading to the resignation of Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran.   He  had resigned on Sunday after an audio clip of a sexually explicit conversation, allegedly between him and a woman,  was aired by a local TV channel. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters that  the decision on the judicial officer for the probe will be taken at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.  The terms of reference will be decided at the time of constituting the commission.

Before deciding on the probe,   Mr Vijayan had  met Mr Saseendran and heard his version. This was followed by another meeting with state police chief Loknath Behera and additional chief secretary ( home) Nalini Netto. When asked whether the government would seek the services of a sitting judge for the inquiry, the chief minister said going by the past experience it looked unlikely.  “Despite exerting pressure we have not been able to get sitting judges for such inquiries because of the paucity of judicial officers. However, all these decisions will be taken in the cabinet,” he said.

To a question on the conspiracy angle and the need for a police probe into the matter, the chief minister said the cabinet will take up the matter. “In connection with the allegations that have surfaced now,  it is felt that a judicial probe would be apt.  The rest of the issues can be discussed later,” he added. The chief minister said that while resigning Mr Saseendran had not admitted to doing anything wrong.  Since the allegation had already surfaced,  this needed to be probed. During the time of such a probe,  it was not appropriate for Mr Saseendran to continue in office, Mr Vijayan  pointed out.