Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Left Democratic Front (LDF) leader and Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar has once again landed in controversy following serious allegations made by his wife, Bindu Menon. The incident, which reportedly took place on March 7 at the minister’s ancestral residence, has triggered intense political and social debate across Kerala.
According to Bindu Menon, she discovered the minister in an illicit relationship at the family residence when she unexpectedly entered the house around 2 pm. She claimed that what she witnessed was something that “should never be seen in a family home.” Bindu said she recorded the incident on her mobile phone as evidence. However, matters escalated quickly after she began recording the footage. She alleged that two aides of the Minister, identified as Pradeep and Shantan, intervened and physically assaulted her. According to her complaint, the men forcibly restrained her, twisted her arm, and snatched away her mobile phone to prevent the footage from being used as evidence.
Bindu Menon further stated that she immediately contacted the police and sought help, but the response from the authorities was disappointing. The Anchal police reportedly arrived at the location but returned without taking any action. She also informed the Kollam Superintendent of Police about the incident, but claimed that the officer did not even respond to her calls.
The matter has now taken a serious legal dimension, as Bindu Menon has formally lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), alleging assault, intimidation and police inaction.
Allegations of Minor Involvement and Police Inaction.
In her complaint, Bindu Menon has raised a more disturbing allegation that one of the women present with the minister at the house may have been a minor. She claimed that she had shown photographs related to the incident to the police and informed the Kollam SP about the possibility of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Despite these allegations, she said no action was taken by the police. Bindu also alleged that the woman present in the house was moved out of the premises before the police arrived. According to her statement, the minister himself left the house shortly afterwards.
She said that she sought help from several influential individuals, including Chief Minister’s daughter Veena Vijayan and former DGP R. Sreelekha, who is reportedly related to the Minister. Following their advice, she contacted the police through the emergency toll-free number 112. Bindu Menon further claimed that even taxi drivers were reluctant to come to the minister’s residence due to fear of political repercussions. She eventually managed to leave the location and returned home only around 2 am. The incident has raised serious questions about police neutrality and the alleged influence of powerful political figures.
Past controversies resurface
The latest allegations have also revived memories of a similar controversy involving Ganesh Kumar more than a decade ago. In 2013, his first wife, Yamini Thankachi, accused him of domestic violence and extramarital affairs.
At the time, Yamini publicly alleged that she had been subjected to physical and mental torture after questioning the minister about his alleged relationships with other women. The dispute became widely publicised when she reportedly slapped the minister during the confrontation. The controversy eventually forced Ganesh Kumar, who was then serving as a minister in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, to resign from his post. The couple later legally separated.
Following the divorce, Ganesh Kumar married Bindu Menon, who is now the complainant in the present case. The resurfacing of these earlier allegations has intensified the political fallout of the current controversy.
Minister’s response sparks further debate
Responding to the allegations, Ganesh Kumar dismissed the controversy and defended his personal life. He reportedly stated that love is not a crime and that no one has the right to interfere in personal matters. In remarks that have drawn widespread criticism, the minister said he has “not one but five thousands of lovers.” Comparing questions about his relationships to asking the late writer Madhavikutty (Kamala Das) whether she was in love, he said love would continue regardless of criticism. “Ganesh Kumar does not have just one love; he has many. A person without love is a fool,” he said, adding that some people openly express love while others hide it.
The Minister also invoked historical figures to defend his remarks, claiming that even former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had the most number romantic relationships. He also referred to Rajiv Gandhi’s marriage as being based on love. His remarks have sparked outrage among political opponents and civil society groups, particularly given that he represents a government that frequently emphasises women’s safety and gender justice. With Kerala heading towards crucial political battles in the coming months, the controversy is widely seen as a potential setback for the ruling LDF. Opposition leaders have demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations, including the claims of assault and possible involvement of a minor.
