The Kerala High Court has annulled the election of Congress leader Kodikunnil Suresh from the reserved Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituency for producing a fake scheduled caste certificate.
Suresh, a five-time Lok Sabha member, had defeated the CPI’s R.S. Anil Kumar by more than 45,000 votes last year.
Kumar later alleged that Suresh was a Cheramar Christian but had submitted a false certificate showing him as Cheramar Hindu, a scheduled caste.
Using documents obtained through RTI, Kumar filed a petition claiming Suresh was born a Christian. Although the Congress leader claimed to have converted to Hinduism, most of his certificates still showed him as Christian, he alleged.
“It was only now that we could get all documents pertaining to his caste by applying through the RTI. With this verdict, we feel justice has been delivered,” Kumar said.
Suresh said leaders of his party had colluded with Kumar. “I have complained to the state Congress about a conspiracy to defame and unseat me. Some leaders are unhappy with my rise,” he said.
Justice M. Sasidharan Nambiar criticised the returning officer for accepting the nomination without verifying if Suresh belonged to the scheduled caste.
{{/usCountry}}Justice M. Sasidharan Nambiar criticised the returning officer for accepting the nomination without verifying if Suresh belonged to the scheduled caste.
{{/usCountry}}State Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala said the party would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.