Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 31 (Agencies): Days after senior NCP leader AK Saseendran resigned from the post of transport minister after Malayalam channel Mangalam Television aired an audio clip where the Saseendran was purportedly heard seeking sexual favours from a housewife, a report in The News Minute has claimed that the 'housewife' was, in fact, a journalist.

In a press conference called after Mangalam Television made the allegation, Saseendran had said the party and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan may order an inquiry into the matter, and that it wasn't right on his part to continue as a minister during that time.

He resigned on moral grounds, but now, a report in The News Minute says the 'housewife' was actually a journalist working with Mangalam TV.

After members of the Malayalam commentariat expressed skepticism about the 'complaint', Mangalam TV CEO Ajith Kumar said the journalist volunteered to be part of a sting operation, apologized to women journalists, and said his organisation shouldn't made public only a partial clip, the report said.

A K Saseendran

Mangalam Television's admission comes two days after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government on Wednesday constituted a judicial commission to probe the allegations against 72-year-old Saseendran, who stepped down immediately after the scandal broke. However, Saseendran said his resignation doesn't amount to an admission of guilt.

After the channel's CEO appeared on air to admit that it was a 'sting operation' Saseendran welcomed the admission, and section of leaders in his party urged him to return to the ministerial post.

FIR against nine journalists

Following the channel's admission, an FIR has been registered against nine journalists, including its CEO Ajith Kumar.

Sources said that the FIR has been registered under the IT Act for misuse of electronic media and criminal conspiracy.