Chennai, Monday, May 11, 2009: In the sensational flight controversy that cost him his Ministerial berth, former Kerala PWD Minister and the leader of the Kerala Congress (J) PJ Joseph was exonerated by the Chennai Sriperambathur District Magistrate Court.

As soon as the verdict was pronounced by District Magistrate Judge Krishnaswami, PJ Joseph hailed god for the verdict that favoured him. PJ Joseph, his family members and other Kerala Congress (J) leaders were present in the Court during the hearing.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of Lakshmi Gopalaswami has informed that they will appeal against the verdict.

The case pertains to the then PWD Minister P J Joseph during a flight to Kochi from Chennai allegedly misbehaved with Lakshmi Gopakumar in August 2006.

The woman had then lodged a complaint with the flight crew. Later a complaint was lodged with the Meenambakkam police. The issue created a political storm in Kerala and PJ Joseph was forced to resign from the minister’s post.

The Kerala government initially had ordered an independent probe by IG Sandhya into the incident. The official in her report concluded that Mr Joseph had extended his hand through the gap of the seat in front and touched the body of Ms Lakshmi Gopakumar in such a manner that he outraged her modesty.
The officer had also said in the report that prima facie there was no conspiracy by the victim with anybody as far as the incident was concerned.