Alappuzha: In a claim that has stirred political circles, former CPM leader G Sudhakaran has cast a shadow of suspicion over Minister Saji Cherian regarding the 2013 arson attack on the P Krishna Pillai Memorial in Kannarkad here. Speaking to a television channel, Sudhakaran, who recently left the party, suggested that Cherian’s presence at the site shortly after the incident raised major questions.

Allegations of premature arrival

The incident occurred in the early hours of October 31, 2013, when the Chellikkandathil House—the historic residence where Communist pioneer P Krishna Pillai spent his final days—was set on fire and his memorial statue was damaged. According to Sudhakaran, Saji Cherian, who was the Kanjikuzhy area secretary at the time, arrived at the scene by 2.30 am. Sudhakaran argued that it was highly suspicious for Cherian to have travelled from Chengannur to the site so quickly after the 1.30 am incident.

Claims of internal party suppression

Sudhakaran further alleged that despite the District Secretariat’s demand for a formal party-level investigation, the then-party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan intervened to prevent it. He asserted that the individuals previously arrested and charged in the case were not the actual culprits. While the UDF was in power during the initial probe, Sudhakaran claimed he possesses leads regarding the real perpetrators behind the desecration of the memorial.

Legal background and prior acquittals

The case originally saw five individuals arrayed as accused, including Latheesh B Chandran, a former personal staff member of V S Achuthanandan, and P Sabu, the former CPM Kannarkad local committee secretary. Following investigations by both the local police and the Crime Branch, the Alappuzha Principal Sessions Court eventually acquitted all five defendants on July 30, 2020, citing a lack of evidence. Those who had been expelled from the party following the charges were subsequently reinstated after being cleared by the court.

Saji Cherian’s counter-response

Meanwhile, Minister Saji Cherian has vehemently dismissed the allegations, clarifying that he reached the memorial only by 8.30 am on the morning following the attack. He stated that he had been in Kanjikuzhy until 6.30 pm the previous evening and only received news of the fire at 6.00 am the next day.

The Minister hit back at Sudhakaran, stating that it was Pinarayi Vijayan who had actually insisted on a rigorous investigation, which led to the Crime Branch takeover. Cherian characterised Sudhakaran’s statements as the "delirious ramblings" of a man struggling with the guilt of abandoning his party.

Furthermore, sources familiar with the case confirmed to the media that the Minister’s arrival at the site was indeed between 8.30 am and 9.00 am, contradicting Sudhakaran’s timeline.