Kerala CM should explain why police failed to process a distress call from Minister Ganesh Kumar’s wife, asks Satheesan

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheeshan sought a reply from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (March 9, 2026) on an allegation that the police failed to legally process a distress call from Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar’s wife, Bindu Menon. 

Ms. Menon, who spoke to journalists on Monday, accused Mr. Ganesh Kumar of infidelity and said she had caught the Minister “red-handed with a woman” at the latter’s house at Valakom in Kollam district on Saturday (March 7, 2026).

Ms. Menon accused the Minister’s staff of attempting to wrest her mobile phone when she attempted to record the alleged act of unfaithfulness and physically detain her. She alleged that the police response was inadequate and that the officers left without any action, rendering her deeply insecure. 

Mr. Satheesan said he did not want to insert himself into a domestic dispute. “However, there is the larger issue of women’s safety at stake. The police failed to record the accuser’s statement or ensure her safety. They just decamped, leaving her in the lurch,” he added. 

Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Vijayan who swore by women’s safety owed the public an explanation. Mr. Satheesan also rejected Mr. Ganesh Kumar’s accusation that the United Democratic Front (UDF) had conspired to spread canards about him. “Salacious slander mongering is not the Opposition’s business,” he said.

Resignation sought

Jeby Mather, MP, president of the Kerala Pradesh Mahila Congress, demanded that Mr. Ganesh Kumar be ousted from the Cabinet. The Kerala Students Union (KSU) petitioned the State Police Chief to book Mr. Ganesh Kumar on charges of domestic violence. 

Political witch-hunt: Minister

Mr. Ganesh Kumar said he was the victim of a political witch-hunt launched by the Opposition ahead of the Assembly elections. “Such slander campaigns in my case coincide with Assembly election cycles. Political rivals have in the past used my family against me. I have survived worse,” he said.

Mr. Ganesh Kumar said that his constituents in Pathanapuram had elected him as their MLA for five consecutive terms. “My voters would prove wrong those who believe that scandal mongering would upend my campaign or throw my political future into question,” he said.