The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed an investigation into alleged bribery involving Saneesh Kumar Joseph, an MLA from Chalakudy. The legislator had challenged an order issued by a vigilance court.
The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed an investigation that the Thrissur Vigilance Court had ordered into allegations against Chalakudy MLA Saneesh Kumar Joseph. Justice A. Badharudeen was hearing Joseph’s petition to set aside that order, The Hindu reported.
Devendran, a resident of Thanikkudam, alleged that Joseph and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary Rajendran Arangath asked him for money to secure title to a 17-cent plot in Madakkathara village. The allegations remain claims in a complaint and have not been established as facts by a court.
In his petition, Joseph cited an earlier vigilance inquiry that, he said, found no merit in the allegations and concluded that the request to assign the land was legally untenable. He also argued that the report had not been overturned by a court and that he was not given the required opportunity to be heard in the private complaint proceedings.
The High Court granted interim relief, noting that Joseph had not been notified in accordance with the law. Onmanorama previously reported on the Thrissur court’s order to investigate Devendran’s complaint.