MV Govindan sends legal notice to Sharshad on letter row, seeks public apology

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan has issued a legal notice against Chennai-based businessman B Muhammad Sharshad over allegations made against him and his son. 

Sharshad had accused Govindan's son, Shyamjith, of leaking a confidential letter addressed to the CPM Polit Bureau. Terming the allegations "false and baseless", Govindan said they were aimed at tarnishing his public image.

Govindan has demanded that Sharshad withdraw his allegations within three days, issue a public apology through the same platforms where the allegations were made, and erase all related social media posts. Failing to do this, the CPM leader warned of initiating legal action.

Earlier, Sharshad alleged that Govindan blocked his phone number after he informed him about Shyamjith’s links with London-based businessman Rajesh Krishna, who is allegedly involved in various scams.

In a letter to the CPM leadership, Sharshad further alleged that several prominent leaders of the party were linked with Rajesh Krishna in multiple corrupt dealings. Challenging Govindan, he claimed he holds evidence to prove all his allegations. Sharshad said that the party had ignored all his complaints. He added that, although he had filed a complaint with the DGP over the letter leak, no action was taken.

In the legal notice, Govindan argued that Sharshad’s complaint against him had already been in the public domain through social media and the press from the day it was sent to the CPM Polit Bureau, and hence, the allegation that his son leaked it was unfounded. The notice pointed out that Sharshad himself had stated in his complaint that the details regarding businessman Rajesh Krishna should be made public.

The notice further accused Sharshad of misusing Govindan's office for personal motives, despite having earlier issued an apology to the CPM for making such allegations. It said Sharshad’s repeated “reckless” statements were defamatory and aimed at damaging Govindan’s reputation built over five decades in public life.