Thiruvananthapuram: Former transport minister Thomas Chandy is reportedly backing off from his demand to cancel the FIR registered against him in the lake encroachment case.
The move comes at a time when the court is all set to announce a verdict on the case. The MLA will submit a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to withdraw the petition demanding to cancel the FIR registered against him.
On May 24, 2017, Kainakary panchayat member B K Vinod petitioned the district collector, tahsildar and panchayat committee stating that Marthandam lake was encroached upon by a private party. Following this, the collector submitted a report stating that Thomas Chandy was guilty.
In November 2017, Thomas Chandy moved the SC challenging the Kerala High Court order. The Legislator demanded to stay the HC order and all procedures based on the report submitted by the district collector in which his name was mentioned.
It must be remembered that Chandy, who was the transport minister then, had approached the HC seeking to cancel the collector’s report. However, the HC opined that it would be better if Chandy resigned. This strengthened protests seeking his resignation and Chandy stepped down soon after.
Read more: Chandy resigns, CM hands over letter to Governor
