Kerala HC Orders Crime Branch Probe into Minister's Remarks
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala High Court has directed a Crime Branch investigation into fisheries and culture minister Saji Cherian's alleged derogatory remarks against the Constitution.
The minister made the remarks at a July 3, 2022, public event. Following protests by the Opposition and various organisations, Cherian was compelled to resign from the Pinarayi Vijayan ministry.
Later, the police conducted an investigation and submitted a report to the Thiruvalla Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, exonerating Cherian, leading to his reinstatement in the ministry in January 2023.
After the High Court directive, the Opposition Congress-led UDF has now renewed its call for the minister's resignation. The minister has rejected these demands, clarifying that the court's decision pertained to the police report and not to his comments.
"The court should have considered my perspective since the matter concerns me. I intend to seek legal recourse after reviewing the High Court's verdict details. One court had previously cleared me based on the findings of police investigation. Now, another court has deemed my actions incorrect. There is a higher court above. We will see," he stated.
The minister stated that the issue of morality was not pertinent in this case. He mentioned that he had previously resigned on moral grounds, but that obligation no longer applied. "I was sworn in again as a minister following a court order," he declared.
Cherian had claimed that the Constitution was drafted in a way that facilitated the exploitation of the country's people. "The British prepared the Constitution and handed it over to Indians who documented it. It has been enforced in the country for the last 75 years and has become the prime instrument for people's exploitation," Cherian remarked at the event.
His remarks triggered widespread outrage forcing the minister to announce his resignation on July 6, 2022. However, Saji Cherian then asserted that his decision to resign was voluntary, stating, "It is my personal decision, as it is not appropriate for me to remain in office as a minister," while reading from a prepared statement.
Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan stated that the minister had no right to continue in office following the High Court's directive for a crime branch investigation.
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan declined to comment on the matter. When prompted for a reaction to the developments, Khan stated that it was for the individual concerned to decide on such matters.