Kerala HC orders fresh probe against Minister for alleged remarks about Constitution

Thiruvananthapuram- Kerala Fisheries, Culture, and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian announced his refusal to resign following a High Court order for a fresh investigation into his alleged derogatory remarks against the Constitution. The court's decision, issued on Thursday by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, came in response to a petition filed by a lawyer against the police's closure of the investigation and a lower court's exoneration of Cherian.

Cherian, speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, stated, "There is nothing immoral in me continuing as a minister. I was exonerated by one court and another court has now ordered a probe. Let the fresh probe go forward. In all fairness, I also should have been heard." He added that he would seek legal recourse through higher courts.

The case against Cherian stems from remarks made at a party meeting in Pathanamthitta district in July 2022. Following public outcry, he resigned from his position. However, he was reinstated as minister six months later after a local court exonerated him.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan asserted that Cherian should resign in light of the High Court's order for a fresh Crime Branch investigation. "Now the scenario has changed as the court has made it clear that the police report submitted in their probe was not acceptable to the High Court. So it means it was not a clean probe report and hence the situation is serious. So Cherian has no other option left but to quit," stated Satheesan. He further criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for allowing Cherian's reinstatement.

Media critic Sunnykutty Abraham echoed these sentiments, stating that the situation is more severe than when Cherian resigned in July 2022. "Then Cherian said the same thing and claimed he had done no wrong and there was no impropriety in continuing as a minister, but he had to quit. Now the situation is much more serious and he has no other option but to quit again," Abraham remarked.