This is one case that refuses to leave the public domain. Just as it seemed that the Special Investigation Team under Vinson M. Paul, Additional Director General of Police, put a lid on the allegations related to the Ice-cream parlour sex case, it is back. But those who were featured in the allegations seem to be nonchalant about the whole affair.
The SIT has exonerated all accused in the case after re-examining the case on the basis of allegations raised by K.A. Rauf, relative of Minister for Industries P.K. Kunhalikutty, regarding the latter’s role in the case. But with a copy of the report filed by the SIT in the court reaching Leader of Opposition V.S. Achutanandan, all mayhem broke loose.
When contacted, M.K. Damodaran, former Advocate General, told The Hindu that there was no substance in the new move. This has been investigated and settled. “Leaders who should be taking up original issues concerning the public are wasting their time by filing cases of no substance,” he said.
The allegation against Mr. Damodaran was that he was paid Rs. 32.5 lakh in two instalments to clear debt of Malabar Aqua Farms, operated by Mr. Damodaran’s wife. It was also alleged that the firm was taken over by Kunhappu as instructed by Mr. Kunhalikutty.
The dismissive tone of Mr. Damodaran regarding the new move was also there in the voice of K. Narayana Kurup, former Kerala High Court judge. There should be a logical conclusion to the process. The endless litigation will not do any good to the judicial process. In this case, this is purely politically motivated and this happened just before the last elections too, he told The Hindu .
Mr. Rauf had alleged that Mr. Kurup’s son-in-law was given Rs. 5 lakh through K.C. Peter, then Additional Director General of Prosecution for dismissing a petition calling for CBI investigation. K. Thankappan, former judge of Kerala High Court, whose name also featured in the allegation list, refused to comment on the new development.
It was alleged that Mr. Thankappan was first given Rs. 25 lakh through V.K. Beeran, the then Additional Advocate General, for getting a favourable order regarding demands to change trial court, allowing camera trial and speedy trial.
It is alleged that Mr. Thankappan received another Rs. 25 lakh for dismissing petitions by Ajitha and the State government challenging the acquittal by trial court.
It is now being alleged that the SIT did not go into the evidence given by Mr. Rauf, based on visuals recorded using hidden cameras, tour diaries of Mr. Kunhalikutty, documents of bank transactions, attempts to influence the victims and the judges.
