Kochi: The position of Binoy Kodiyeri, son of CPM Kerala state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, in a sexual harassment case filed by a Mumbai-based woman, who hails from Bihar, is becoming precarious day by day. In the latest development, it has been revealed that the passport of the woman has the name ‘Binoy Vinodini Balakrishnan’ as her husband.
The passport with Binoy’s name was renewed in 2014 after the one issued in 2004 lapsed. The woman’s earlier passport of 2004 had her parents’ details. These passport details are expected to be crucial evidence against Binoy and were attached to the complaint filed by the woman at Oshiwara police station in Mumbai.
In the renewed passport, after the woman’s name, that of Binoy appears as her husband. It is pointed out that the name of the husband can be included in the passport only if documents like the marriage certificate are submitted. Another way to do it is by indulging in some malpractice. However, there has been no complaint against the woman in this regard. Moreover, the Oshiwara police confirmed that the woman’s passport was genuine and made it the chief item of evidence against Binoy. There was also proof that the woman had renewed her passport with the knowledge of Binoy.
Settlement bid failed: Victim
According to the aggrieved woman’s family members, they approached the police after all efforts to reach a settlement with Binoy failed. When Binoy refused to give her maintenance, there was no option but to file a police complaint, said the woman.
In her complaint to the police, the woman has also given details of the deliberations held with Binoy’s mother Vinodini. On December 31, 2018, the woman had sent a notice through a lawyer to Binoy demanding Rs 5 crore for her maintenance and to bring up her child. Following which, Binoy and his mother met the woman in Mumbai on April 18 this year. Another round of talks took place on April 28, again in Mumbai. When Binoy rejected every demand that the woman made, she sent another notice through a lawyer which contained details of the two discussions. However, as Binoy did not change his stand, the woman went to the police station and filed an FIR on June 13.
Meanwhile, the people who were giving legal assistance to the woman contacted Binoy. However, he still remained firm in his position. Following which, these persons reached Oshiwara police station and handed over phone call records between the woman and Binoy and photos of the two together.
On Friday, the Dindoshi sessions court had considered the anticipatory bail plea filed by Binoy. At the court, Binoy’s lawyer argued that the sexual harassment case was based on a cooked up story and was a plot to blackmail him. After this, the woman reached the police station once again and handed over more evidence against Binoy.
The woman's relatives repeated on Saturday that they had informed the CPM central leadership as well as Binoy’s family of the matter months earlier.
Anxious moments for CPM, Kodiyeri
The CPM state secretariat has asked Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to continue leading the party condemning the actions of his son Binoy. However, neither the secretariat members nor Kodiyeri has any idea on the course that the case would take. All top leaders are anxious over the developments and are eager to learn the opinion of party members who are attending the ongoing state committee meeting.
Earlier, when an allegation of financial misappropriation had been raised against Binoy, there was support for him from sections of the CPM leadership. But these voices are silent now. During the previous issue, Kodiyeri had suspected the hand of some party factions. However, the CPM state secretary said on Saturday that he would not take up the cause of his son this time.
Kodiyeri also does not believe that the incidents would affect his post. He has made it clear that he would not hesitate to resign as state secretary but the party has asked him stay put realizing that such a move can only make matters worse.
Binoy’s arrest may take place if his anticipatory bail plea is rejected. In such a situation, the Opposition is all set to take up the issue and may even raise it in the Assembly.
Will not affect front: Kanam
At the same time, CPM’s coalition partner in the Left Democratic Front CPI has termed the issue as a personal matter involving Binoy Kodiyeri. “The allegations against Binoy will not affect the front,” CPI’s state secretary Kanam Rajendran told reporters in Thodupuzha.
Incidentally, the CPM state secretariat is holding discussions on the issue.
