"Arranged at Government's request": DGP's affidavit contradicts CM's flight defence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The DGP has contradicted Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s claims regarding the controversial chartered flight journey. In an affidavit submitted before the Lokayukta, the DGP stated that Chipsan Aviation had provided the chartered aircraft at the government's request. The disclosure came in response to a complaint filed by public activist K M Shahjahan.

While maintaining that no corruption had taken place and that the government had suffered neither financial gain nor loss, the DGP submitted an affidavit that contradicted the Chief Minister's claims. The DGP explained that the chartered aircraft operated by Chipsan Aviation was arranged at the government's direction for the Chief Minister's emergency journey following the floods in Nilambur. The affidavit also described the complainant's allegations as false and urged the Lokayukta to dismiss the complaint.

Following the controversy, the Chief Minister had claimed at a press conference that a sponsor had borne the entire cost of the journey. He had maintained that not a single rupee had been spent from the government treasury. V D Satheesan had also stated that since the journey was undertaken for government purposes, there was no obligation to disclose the sponsor's identity.

The Lokayukta had earlier issued notices to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary in connection with the controversy over the free flight journey. The notices were issued as part of a preliminary inquiry into the complaint filed by K M Shahjahan. The complainant had also sought to implead the government in the case.

The petition is being considered by a bench headed by Lokayukta Justice N Anil Kumar. The complaint alleged that the flight journey amounted to corruption. The next hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2027.