Crime Branch to probe Saji Cherian’s controversial speech; DGP promises fair investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The further investigation of the case against Minister Saji Cherian for making a speech in defiance of the Constitution has been handed over to the Crime Branch as per the High Court order. Yesterday, Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib handed over a copy of the court order and documents including the case diary to Crime Branch Chief H. Venkatesh.

The investigating officer will be appointed today. The High Court has ordered that an impartial officer investigate. Therefore, the matter will be decided with caution. The investigation was handed over a week after the High Court order.

The High Court has ordered the Crime Branch to continue the investigation by cancelling the police's hasty clean chit before receiving the forensic examination results of the speech and the minister's voice test report. The case against the minister has been filed under the Act on Disrespect for National Dignity. The minister is appealing the verdict, stating that his side was not heard.