Kerala HC orders crime branch probe into Minister Saji Cherian’s alleged remarks on Constitution
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the State government to initiate a Crime Branch investigation into allegations against Minister for Culture Saji Cherian over his purported remarks insulting the Constitution. The alleged incident occurred during a CPI(M) area committee meeting in Mallapally, Pathanamthitta district, in 2022.
The court quashed the earlier decision of a Magistrate court to close the case, highlighting procedural lapses, including the failure to await forensic examination results of the visuals and the absence of journalist testimonies. The High Court noted that references in Cherian’s speech appeared to degrade the Constitution and deemed the Magistrate’s decision to close the case improper.
Observing inconsistencies in the investigation, the High Court pointed out that findings by the investigating officer—stating that Cherian lacked intent to insult the Constitution—were contrary to facts. It asserted that a minister's position warranted a probe beyond a station house officer’s inquiry. The court also dismissed the State government's plea challenging the petition filed by advocate Baiju Noel, which sought a further investigation into the case.
The High Court directed the Director General of Police to assign the Crime Branch to carry out a conclusive and expedited investigation. The case, which had previously sparked controversy and led to Cherian’s temporary resignation from the Cabinet, has now resurfaced as a significant setback for the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
Cherian was reinstated in the Cabinet following the controversy.
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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas officials
The Hague, Nov 21: The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory.
The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request.
