Kerala Police Initiate Case Against G Sudhakaran Over 1989 Election Claims

The Kerala Police have initiated a criminal case against G Sudhakaran, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), following his claims of postal ballot tampering in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. Sudhakaran's allegations, made during a recent event, have prompted serious attention from the Election Commission, leading to an FIR being filed. Despite retracting his statement, Sudhakaran faces significant legal repercussions, with charges including violations of the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code. This incident raises questions about electoral integrity and the implications of Sudhakaran's claims.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 17, 2025, 13:08 IST

Criminal Case Filed Against CPI(M) Leader

On Friday, the Kerala Police took action by filing a criminal case against G Sudhakaran, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), following his allegations regarding tampering of postal ballots during the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, as reported by a local news outlet.

During a gathering of the Kerala NGO Union in Alappuzha on Wednesday, Sudhakaran asserted that the postal votes were manipulated to favor the CPI(M) candidate in the Alappuzha constituency during that election.

He further stated that “even if the Election Commission decides to pursue a case regarding this, it will not pose an issue,” according to another news source.

Rathan U Kelkar, the Chief Electoral Officer of the state, indicated on Thursday that the Election Commission is taking Sudhakaran’s remarks “very seriously.” He instructed the district election officer in Alappuzha to file a first information report and commence a thorough investigation.

On the same day, Ambalappuzha Tahsildar S Anvar documented Sudhakaran’s statement.

The police registered an FIR against him, referencing his speech video and citing violations concerning the secrecy of voting, illegal removal of ballot papers, booth capturing, and other offenses under the 1951 Representation of the People Act, as reported by another media outlet.

Additionally, charges were brought under the Indian Penal Code for the use of forged documents as authentic, with some offenses carrying potential prison sentences ranging from months to several years.

The complaint was lodged by Alappuzha District Collector Alex Varghese, who also serves as the district election officer.

This development occurred even as Sudhakaran retracted his earlier statement on Thursday, asserting that no postal ballot manipulation had occurred in 1989.

“I spoke with a bit of imagination the other day,” Sudhakaran was quoted as saying. “I have never participated in or facilitated any bogus voting.”

He mentioned that he conveyed this to the election officials when his statement was recorded.

Leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also refuted the allegations, according to reports.

In the 1989 elections, Congress candidate Vakkom Purushothaman won against KV Devadas of the CPI(M) by over 25,000 votes in Alappuzha.

Sudhakaran, who has served as an MLA four times, was a minister in the Left Democratic Front government led by VS Achuthanandan from 2006 to 2011 and previously held the position of public works minister in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s earlier Cabinet.