CPI(M) Awaits Internal Inquiry Report on Former Palakkad Secretary

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is waiting for an inquiry report regarding a sexual misconduct complaint against its former Palakkad district secretary, E.N. Suresh Babu. The party's internal complaints committee is handling the probe and has recorded the statement of the woman who filed the complaint. The complainant is both a lawyer and a party leader, and she has submitted digital evidence to support her claims.

Investigation and Party Action

Under party rules, a complaint against a leader is looked into by the internal complaints committee of the next higher committee. Since Mr. Babu was the Palakkad district secretary, the case went to the committee under the central committee. Once the inquiry finishes, the committee will submit its report and recommendations to the CPI(M) State committee. The State leadership will then decide on further action, which could include removing him from his primary party membership. The complaint relates to an incident at the Palakkad district committee office where the woman was called.

Background and Leadership Changes

The woman's complaint previously led to intervention by the State leadership and resulted in Mr. Babu losing his post as district secretary. On October 4, the party named former MLA V. Chenthamarakshan as his successor during an extended district committee meeting. Initially, the party stated that the leadership change was part of an organisational review after an electoral setback and claimed Mr. Babu left voluntarily for personal reasons, denying any connection to the complaint.

Context

Internal complaints committees are formal panels set up within organisations to investigate workplace harassment and misconduct allegations. Political parties often handle internal disciplinary matters through such specialized committees before the leadership decides on formal punishments or expulsions.