Crime Branch inquiry ordered against minister over remark against Constitution
What's the story
The Kerala High Court has ordered a Crime Branch probe into allegations of derogatory remarks against the Indian Constitution made by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian in 2022.
The decision has sparked a political storm in the state again, which had earlier prompted Cherian's resignation from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's Cabinet.
A 2022 video showed Cherian allegedly saying the Constitution's "aim is to exploit the common man" and calling it "crafted by the British" and "anti-working class."
Investigation reopened
High court quashes previous police report, orders fresh probe
The high court has now overturned an earlier police report that had cleared Cherian of any wrongdoing over his remarks on the Constitution.
The court cited prima facie evidence of offensive remarks as grounds for directing a new investigation.
This overturns a 2023 Thiruvalla court decision that reinstated Cherian after accepting a Kerala Police's report that cleared him of insulting the Constitution or its architects.
Political fallout
Cherian denies wrongdoing, opposition demands resignation
Cherian has denied any wrongdoing and emphasized the high court didn't look into the case's merit but only ordered further investigation.
He said he wasn't a party to the case and reserved his right to appeal against the decision.
However, despite these developments, Cherian has ruled out another resignation, stressing his previous resignation was a moral stand and expressing faith in the judicial process.