Did Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala Really Move a Breach of Privilege Against CM Vijayan?

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader and former Kerala Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, has lodged a breach of privilege notice against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that he misled the state Assembly with "false and unsubstantiated" statements concerning disciplinary action in the police force.

The notice, submitted under Rule 154 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, follows a heated debate on police misconduct that took place earlier this week between the Opposition and Treasury benches in the Assembly.

In response to Congress MLA Roji M. John, the Chief Minister claimed in the Assembly that since 2016, 144 police officers involved in serious criminal misconduct had been dismissed.

However, Chennithala rejected this assertion, stating that Chief Minister Vijayan did not provide any names, ranks, or supporting documentation regarding these dismissals.

He stated, "The figures quoted are baseless. Even the Home Department has no official records to back the Chief Minister's statement."

Chennithala also pointed out that contrary to the Chief Minister's claims, numerous officers accused of serious offences or recommended for dismissal are still holding significant positions within the police department.

He emphasized, "The majority of those dismissed were not criminals but personnel absent without leave or on prolonged unauthorized absence."

Referencing earlier responses from the Chief Minister in the Assembly, Chennithala underscored contradictions in Vijayan's statements.

In January, Vijayan acknowledged that 18 officers facing allegations related to criminal gangs were still in service, while 14 suspended for similar reasons had been reinstated.

In another response in March, Vijayan admitted that comprehensive details regarding criminal cases against police officers over various administrations were "not available".

Chennithala also accused the Chief Minister of intentionally misrepresenting facts to undermine the former UDF-led Kerala government.

He noted, "Between 2011 and 2016, 61 police officers were dismissed for disciplinary and criminal violations. Yet the Chief Minister claimed no such action was taken during the Congress-led UDF's tenure."

Labeling Vijayan's assertion of 144 dismissals during his two terms as "factually incorrect and misleading", Chennithala requested the Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer to permit him to file a breach of privilege motion.

He concluded, "It was a conscious attempt to misguide the House without presenting authentic records."