Ice cream parlour case has ‘wide implications’: HC

September 23, 2011: The Kerala High court on Friday held that the criminal case registered on basis of disclosures by a relative of Industries minister P K Kunhalikutty in the Ice Cream Parlour sex case, had ‘wide implications’ and the entire documents need to examined before taking any decision.

The observation was made by a division bench comprising Chief Justice J Chelemeswar and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon on a petition by former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, seeking a CBI probe into the case registered on the basis of fresh disclosures made by Kunhalikutty’s relative K A Rauf after he fell out of favour from the former.

Observing that the case had ‘wide implications’ and the court’s responsibility would be doubled, the bench held that the entire documents needed to be examined before taking a decision on the petition.

The Case Diary and progress report of the case was produced before the bench today, as directed by the court.

Advocate General K P Dhandapani informed the court that 82 witnesses and 52 documents were examined and that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation was progressing well.

During the tenure of the last government, SIT had examined 47 witnesses. The new government did not change SIT, he said, adding there were no allegations against it.
The case has been posted to September 26.

Rauf had alleged a few months ago that Kunhalikutty had used money power and him (Rauf) to influence witnesses, prosecutors, social workers and judicial officers to escape from the ‘Ice Cream Parlour sex case’.

Achuthanandan, now the opposition leader in the assembly, said Rauf’s disclosures show Kunhalikutty was capable of ‘purchasing’ witnesses using his money power and influence and that his statements cannot be brushed aside.