Crime Branch returns report giving clean chit to Minister Saji Cherian

The State police have found themselves in a spot after the Crime Branch (CB) chief returned the investigative report giving a clean chit to Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian for his alleged remarks disapproving of the Constitution in 2022.

The Minister has been given a clean chit for the second time by the CB in a High Court-ordered inquiry into the allegations that he had disparaged the Constitution at a public function at Mallapally in Pathanamthitta district in 2022.

Initially, the first investigation report submitted by the police before the court found no evidence proving that the Minister made remarks insulting or violating the Constitution. Following this, the court had directed the CB to conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations. In the reinvestigation, the CB examined video footage, speech records, and witness statements in connection with the public meeting, during which the speech was delivered.

However, the CB personnel could not collect the details of the mobile phone and the social media account used for live streaming the controversial episode, as both were found to have been destroyed. The CB again recommended the closure of the case, stating that no prosecutable evidence was found against Mr. Cherian. This report has now been returned by the CB chief, pointing out procedural flaws in the investigation, according to sources.

The controversy dates back to July 2022, when Opposition parties alleged that certain portions of the Minister’s speech amounted to criticism of the Constitution, triggering political protests and legal action. The issue had then led to the resignation of Mr. Cherian, who later returned to the Cabinet after receiving legal respite.