MDMA Case: CM Backtracks on Claim That Phones of Youth Congress Leaders Were Sent for Forensic Examination

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister VD Satheesan has backtracked on his earlier statement that the phones of Youth Congress leaders arrested in an MDMA case had been sent for forensic examination. At a previous press conference, the Chief Minister had stated that the phones were sent for examination. However, the Home Department had rejected the claim. Responding to questions from journalists at Wednesday’s press conference, Satheesan said the information he had received was provided by the Home Department and added that the department was not under his charge.

Three people, including VD Satheesan’s social media coordinator Mohammed Hussain, were arrested with MDMA. The police have not sought court permission to send the six phones seized from them for scientific examination. The move is alleged to be aimed at preventing the emergence of digital evidence confirming a connection between the Chief Minister and the accused.

The police have also not written to mobile network providers to obtain digital evidence, including call detail records (CDRs), from the phones. Such records can provide details such as the numbers contacted, dates, times and duration of calls.

However, a forensic examination is required to retrieve chats, calls and messages exchanged through WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram, as well as to recover deleted data. The Chanderra police have allegedly received strict instructions not to conduct such an examination.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has so far not given a clear answer regarding his connection with the accused. Satheesan had earlier said that he came to know Hussain only after the latter was assaulted during the Nava Kerala Sadas. He later came up with a new explanation, saying that many people may have come to meet him and many may have taken photographs with him according to their wishes.

The earlier statement changed after photographs showing Satheesan and Hussain together, dating back to two years before the Nava Kerala Sadas, emerged.