VIP row diverted Kiliroor case: CPM

Express News Service 13 Dec 2008
In yet another dig at Chief Minister V.S.

Achuthanandan’s policy, the CPM state secretariat has found that intervention of VS in the Kiliroor case by igniting the ‘VIP row’ had only helped to divert the case and save the real culprits.

A press note issued by the secretariat in support of Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, who was made an accused in a case related to the Kiliroor by the Judicial First class Magistrate Court, Thiruvananthapuram, admitted that the VIP row broke out following the visit of VS, Pinarayi Vijayan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, P.K. Sreemathi and M.C. Josephine to the hospital where Sari, the tortured teenager, was undergoing treatment. “The VIP row only helped to create confusion about the CPM, which had been trying to nail the culprits and fighting against sexual exploitation of women,” said the press note.

The Chief Minister also issued a press note on Friday supporting P.K. Sreemathi which, incidentally, is mum on the VIP row. “The Union Government and the CBI were not showing any seriousness in pursuing the Kiliroor case,” alleged Achuthanandan.

He said the investigation into the case was transferred to the CBI even before the LDF Government came into power. “That too, after long spell of protests and agitation,” said VS. He said the State Government could do very little in a case that is being investigated by the CBI.

VS said he had twice demanded the Union Home Ministry a more serious inquiry into the case. “I wrote a letter on July 31, 2006, demanding an IG-level inquiry. Later, when Sari’s father expressed doubt about the genuineness of the CBI inquiry, I had personally met Home Minister Shivraj Patil and demanded a fairer inquiry,” said VS.

The CPM secretariat recalled that VS had clarified within the Assembly and outside that his VIP remark was not intended at any one in the CPM. The investigative agencies could not find any evidence against this even during the UDF rule. “Moreover, VS had demanded that a higher level CBI team should inquire the case. The CPM has nothing to hide in this case,” said the press note.

The party claimed that the recent controversy on Sreemathi was part of a conspiracy. Some corners with vested interests are trying to unleash a dirty campaign against the LDF foreseeing the Parliament polls, alleged the CPM.

“The acceptance of a private petition by the Court in this case seems mysterious as a similar petition had been dismissed by the Court earlier,” said the press note.