On a day the Chief Sec turned down DGP Jacob Thomas’ plea for nod to file a defamation suit against the CM, the police filed a case against SNDP supremo Vellappally Natesan for his controversial remarks
Case against Vellappally Natesan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ALUVA:The police on Monday registered a case against SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan for his controversial remarks during a speech in Aluva. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told mediapersons here the case under Section IPC 153 (A) was registered at the Aluva police station. The section deals with “intention to cause disorder, promoting enmity between religious groups and inciting people to violence,’ a non-bailable offence that invites fine and imprisonment up to three years.
Chennithala said the case was based on representations from legislators, including Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan. The Crime Branch probe into the alleged microfinance fraud by the Yogam leadership is progressing, he said.
Asked whether the police have issued an arrest warrant against Vellappally, Ernakulam Rural SP G H Yathish Chandra said a case was registered under Section 153 (A) against him for the time being. Whether he would be detained or arrested would be decided only after consultations with senior officials in the department, he said.
Chief Sec Turns Down DGP Plea
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson has refused to entertain DGP Jacob Thomas’ request to file a defamation suit against CM Oommen Chandy. A final decision in the matter will be taken by the Chief Minister. Jacob Thomas, in his letter to the Chief Secretary, said Chandy’s remarks on the denial of permission for 77 highrises were defaming to him. Chandy had termed Thomas’ actions as “anti-development” and “anti-government.” Thomas, in his letter, said he denied NOC to the high-rises in public interest. The Chief Secretary, based on legal advice from the Law Secretary, said the All India Service Rules do not provide for such a privilege. “The government cannot give sanction to an official to file a case against the CM. The official can look for other options like filing a private petition or approaching the court after retirement,” he said.