Party workers carrying Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on their shoulders as the the UDF’s Puthuyuga Yatra reaches Kozhikode on Friday.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan has termed as “deeply shameful” the developments surrounding the sexual assault complaint against former MLA and filmmaker P.T. Kunhi Mohammed, stating that the delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) reflected the double standards in handling complaints against those close to the ruling front.
Speaking to reporters in connection with the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Puthuyuga Yatra here on Friday (February 13, 2026), Mr. Satheesan said he felt embarrassed to think that such incidents were happening in Kerala, a State that frequently claims to uphold women’s safety. He pointed out that although the survivor had submitted a complaint to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 24, the FIR was registered only on December 8.
Describing the delay as a serious lapse on the part of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, Mr. Satheesan demanded an explanation for the alleged inaction. There should not be double standards in such matters, he said, adding that public campaigns on social media about women’s safety could not be substituted for timely legal action.
Commending the survivor for her courage in bringing the matter into the public domain, he observed that the social stigma and harassment faced by the woman after speaking out were often worse than the trauma of the assault itself. He said such a social atmosphere should not be allowed to prevail in the State.
Mr. Satheesan further alleged large-scale financial irregularities in the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Meet. The event, he said, was held across the State with hoardings carrying the Chief Minister’s photograph.
Seeks probe
The Opposition leader, who sought a detailed probe into the incident, alleged that funds were reportedly claimed in the names of individuals who did not attend the programme and even in the name of a Bhajan troupe that did not perform. Though accounts showed that food had been served to 4,000 persons, he claimed that only around 600 turned up for the event.
On the State government’s plan to distribute school textbooks early, Mr. Satheesan said the distribution had been delayed only once during the tenure of the UDF and dismissed as propaganda the claim that students found relief on photocopies throughout the five-year UDF rule. He noted that delays had occurred during the earlier Left Democratic Front government’s tenure as well.
Published – February 13, 2026 05:23 pm IST
