E-Paper
Plea in Kerala HC over delay in Lokayukta verdict
According to petitioner R S Sasikumar, financial aid was given to the families of late Nationalist Congress Party leader Uzhavoor Vijayan and a deceased police officer, and debts of late CPI(M) legislator K Ramachandran were waived using the disaster relief fund
Thiruvananthapuram: A petition was filed in the Kerala high court on Tuesday questioning the delay on the part of the Lokayukta in passing its verdict in a case which was heard and an order was reserved in March last year.
The case relates to alleged diversion of funds from the chief minister’s disaster relief fund five years ago. According to petitioner R S Sasikumar, financial aid was given to the families of late Nationalist Congress Party leader Uzhavoor Vijayan and a deceased police officer, and debts of late CPI(M) legislator K Ramachandran were waived using the disaster relief fund. He said this was diversion of fund as these cases do not come under the norms of the disaster relief fund.
The petitioner said his case was heard in detail and he was asked to submit all evidences. Later the case was reserved for orders on March 18, 2022. In the petition, Sasikumar said, “Explained delay was quite intriguing and it was against natural justice.” He said the delay in passing the verdict resulted in “loss of faith in Lokayukta”, an anti-corruption watchdog. He also cited less number of cases before the Lokayukta these days to buttress his point.
“The present trend at any rate will not infuse confidence in the system. On the other hand it will increase frustration of community and encourage corruption and nepotism, and misuse of office by those who enjoy power,” the petition said seeking a directive to the Lokayukta to deliver its verdict at the earliest.
In Kerala, Lokayukta enjoys sweeping powers and it was one of the reasons for the government to introduce a bill in the assembly in February to clip its wings. But Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is yet to sign the bill.
During the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, minister K T Jaleel was forced to resign after Lokayukta passed severe strictures against him for appointing one of his relatives in a key government post flouting all norms. Later the high court and Supreme Court refused to interfere with its observations.
Interestingly the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act was enacted by the CPI(M) government led by E K Nayanar in 1999 who always favoured a strong body to check corruption and included all posts under its ambit. Left parties were also vociferous to include the PM’s office under the ambit of Lokpal.
In the petition, Sasikumar pointed out ₹25 lakh granted from the CM disaster relief fund to late NCP leader Uzhavoor Vijayans’ daughter. He also mentioned ₹8 lakh given to the family of late MLA K K Ramachandran Nair to take back gold mortgaged in a bank and ₹6 lakh to waive off the car loan taken by the late legislator. Besides this, ₹20 lakh was given to the family of a policeman who was killed in an accident involving the pilot car of former party secretary late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. He said money meant for those in distress was illegally diverted to those close to the party in power and government flouting all norms. Last week state Congress president K Sudhakaran had also questioned the delay in delivering the verdict.
