Lok Sabha membership: Supreme Court issues notice on Suresh Gopi’s counter-petition

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a petition filed by Suresh Gopi challenging a Kerala High Court order, which had ruled that a plea questioning his Lok Sabha election victory from Thrissur is maintainable. A bench headed by Justice P S Narasimha issued the notice on the petition filed by Suresh Gopi. The apex court also issued a notice regarding his request to stay the High Court order.

CPI leader A S Benoy had approached the High Court alleging that Suresh Gopi and his election agent had solicited votes using religious symbols. The petition also alleged that gifts were distributed during the election campaign to influence voters. Suresh Gopi subsequently moved the High Court, arguing that this petition was not legally maintainable. However, a single bench of the High Court ruled that the petition is legally maintainable and ordered that Suresh Gopi must face trial.

Suresh Gopi, subsequently, approached the Supreme Court challenging this specific order.

Senior advocates Dama Seshadri Naidu and K Ramkumar, along with advocates Beena Madhavan, B N Shivashankar and Vishnu B Kurup, appeared on behalf of Suresh Gopi.