Kottarakkara (Kollam): Minister KB Ganesh Kumar had threatened to implicate former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in a harassment case over the late Congress leader’s refusal to reinstate him as minister in the UDF government, a witness told the court.

Sudheer Malayil, who served as Oommen Chandy’s personal staff from 2011 to 2013, gave the testimony before the Kottarakkara Judicial First Class Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He testified as the fourth witness in a case in which it is alleged that a four-page conspiracy was drafted in a letter by Solar scam case accused to defame Oommen Chandy.

In 2013, despite R Balakrishnapillai issuing letters to the Speaker and Chief Minister demanding Ganesh Kumar’s removal from the cabinet, Oommen Chandy protected him, he claimed.

Ganesh Kumar had to resign on April 2, 2013, after a domestic violence case filed by his wife, Yamini Thankachy, with the police reached the arrest stage.

According to Sudheer, Oommen Chandy directed then-Labour Minister Shibu Baby John to mediate the matter and reach a compromise in the case.

After the case was settled, Ganesh Kumar allegedly expressed to Oommen Chandy and UDF leaders his desire to return as minister, but for various reasons, it did not happen. Ganesh Kumar was reportedly frustrated by this delay, Sudheer stated in court.

He claimed that Ganesh Kumar had also told him at the time that he would “teach a lesson” to Oommen Chandy and UDF leaders. In 2015, Ganesh Kumar joined the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and won the assembly election. Sudheer testified that the conspiracy became evident after the Solar Commission report included Oommen Chandy’s name. Sudheer is currently the Block President of the Congress in Pathanapuram.

The case has been filed by advocate Sudheer Jacob, listing the Solar scam accused and minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar as the first and second defendants.