The criminal case registered against Joemon Joseph, the recently-appointed Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, is currently pending before the court. According to Kalady Police, which probed the charges against him, the investigation into the case has been completed and the chargesheet has been submitted before the court.
“We have completed the probe into the case. And the chargesheet was filed before the Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) Court, Perumbavoor. As per the investigation, the accused has been found guilty in the case,” said Manoj Kumar, SI, Kalady Police. According to reports, Joemon Joseph later obtained a stay from the Kerala High Court in connection with the case.
A criminal case had been registered against Joemon Joseph on July 30, 2013 for allegedly bashing up K J Paul, development standing committee chairman of the Malayattoor-Neeleswaram grama panchayat. Following the incident, the panchayat urged the government to take urgent action.
“The FIR was registered at the Kalady police station on the same day. Now, the case is pending before the court. So far, no proper investigation has been carried out. Even after the Congress mandalam committee and the panchayat filed complaints, no action was taken. About one week ago, another complaint was filed before the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. How can a person, against whom criminal cases are pending, be appointed as the Honorary Consul?,” asked K J Paul. He further alleged that there are other complaints pending against Joemon Joseph.
In August 2013, the Malayattoor-Neeleswaram mandalam committee of the Congress had approached the CM demanding action against Joemon Joseph. In a letter sent to the CM, Thomas Pangola, the then president of the mandalam committee, had pointed out the lack of action on the part of the police with regard to the incident. “Even after the letter, there was no follow-up action. We didn’t receive any reply from the government,” said Thomas Pangola.
Even after complaints were sent to the CM, so far the government has taken no concrete action in the matter.