Kerala ex-minister cleared of charges
Former Kerala transport minister AK Saseendran on Wednesday was absolved of all major charges by the judicial commission that probed allegations of sexual harassment against him, paving the way for his re-induction in the state cabinet.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that a high-level committee has been constituted to study its recommendations and take action while releasing the main suggestions of the justice PS Antony Commission report. He said Saseendran has the right to rejoin the ministry but added that a decision will have to be taken by his party and the ruling coalition Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The commission, which was appointed by the state government in March, submitted its 405page report on Tuesday.
Saseendran, a Nationalist Congress Party leader, was forced to resign in March after a newly-launched Malayalam television channel, Mangalam, released an audio clip in which he was purportedly heard talking to a woman in a sexually explicit tone. The commission concluded that the channel trapped the minister to increase its viewership ratings and that it was an unhealthy practice. It also advised the state government to move the Union information and broadcasting ministry for the cancellation of broadcasting licence of the channel. It also sought the prosecution of channel’s chief executive officer and journalists involved in the case.
Saseendran welcomed the report, saying the truth will prevail always. But the opposition has criticised the plan to re-induct him. “Moral responsibility still lies with him. The entire state had heard his talk and he can’t come out of the mess so easily,” Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said.
After his exit, another NCP legislator Thomas Chandy was sworn in as the minister but was forced to step down last week after his name figured in a landgrab case.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: