Kerala High Court Seeks Chief Minister VD Satheesan's Response In Police Protection Plea By Expelled Congress Leader Simi Bell Rose John

The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) sought the response of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and his brother, V.D. Ajayakumar in a police protection plea filed by expelled Congress leader Simi Bell Rose John, accusing them of threatening her.The present plea before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was preferred by Simi seeking a direction to the State and the SHO of Thevara police station to ensure that there is no obstruction to her life and property from CM Satheesh or V.D. Ajayakumar or their men.According to her plea, Satheesan had offerred her money after his first election to the Legislative Assembly but she had refused to accept the same alleging that it was sourced through corruption. It is further stated that she had publicly spoken against Satheesan and due this enmity, he and his "power group" has been attempting to attack her.The plea further points that her son and her colleague were attacked on separate occasions. Fearing threat to her and her family's lives, she preferred a representation before the City Police Commissioner seeking police protection but to no avail. Aggrieved, she has come before the High Court.During the previous hearings, Simi had raised an issue that the police was not recording her statement whereas the police's version was that she was refusing to give her statement. Considering the same, the Court had directed Simi to appear before the City Police Commissioner at 11:00 am on May 29 for recording the statement.When the matter came up for consideration yesterday, the counsel appearing for Simi submitted that though she appeared at 11:00 am, she was made to stay in the police station till late in the evening and that she was denied a copy of the statement given by her even though a written request was given.The counsel further submitted that the statement was taken by an alleged corrupt officer, who was earlier summoned by the Apex Court in relation to another case. He requested for a direction to give a copy of the statement. However, the Court pass such orders in view of the fact that there was no such relief sought for in her plea. It orally told the petitioner that the remedy available was not before this Court in the present proceedings.The Court also orally questioned the plea: "Writ petition is only for police protection. Protection for what? For what reason?...What is the basis of this apprehension of threat?"The petitioner's counsel replied that there is a threat to her life due to a political enmity between parties since the petitioner and her colleague conducted a press conference where they made allegation against the Chief Minister. He further pointed out that the petitioner's colleague was subjected to serious injury and that the petitioner is apprehending similar threats, which stands magnified now that Satheesan has become the Chief Minister.The Court then orally asked the government pleader why there was delay in recording the petitioner's statement in spite of the Court's direction:"She was asked to appear at 11 am, why did your officers delay in taking the statement? That's an order of the court."The government pleader sought time to take instructions in this regard. The Court also gave an oral direction to give a copy of her statement to the petitioner.The counsel appearing for Satheesan submitted that there is a change in vakalath and sought time to file objections. Considering the same, the Court granted time till July 2 for filing objections.The petition is moved by Advocate V.R. Manoranjan (Muvattupuzha).Case No: WP(C) 15288/ 2026Case Title: Simi Bell Rose John v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Kerala High Court Seeks Chief Minister VD Satheesan's Response In Police Protection Plea By Expelled Congress Leader Simi Bell Rose John

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

Kerala High Court Seeks Chief Minister VD Satheesan's Response In Police Protection Plea By Expelled Congress Leader Simi Bell Rose John

K. Salma Jennath

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K. Salma Jennath

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