The Communist Party of India (M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan’s statements against the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President K. Sudhakaran during the course of a press conference last month didn’t amount to a call for riot, the Crime Branch has found.
A petition inquiry report to that effect was submitted to the State Police Chief by the CB Superintendent of Police Sabu Mathew on Tuesday. The investigation agency was asked to conduct a petition inquiry last month on a complaint lodged by one Payichira Navas who alleged that Mr. Govindan’s statements amounted to a call for riot and were aimed at influencing the police and the judiciary.
“Detailed investigation and the analysis of Monson Mavunkal’s (self-styled antique dealer) case documents and statements therein was held as part of the inquiry. However, no ground was found for invoking IPC 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot). A decision on whether to go ahead with further probe was left to the top echelons of the police,” sources said.
