Thiruvananthapuram: the state government has received legal advice that it can approach court over the Lokayukta report against former minister KT Jaleel. The advice was given by Advocate General.
As the government didn’t get an opportunity to explain its stance, it can approach the court. Also there are lapses in the procedures of Lokayukta. It should have followed the procedures similar to civil court. It can’t simply rule to remove the minister, AG told the government.
Also, it was the government, even though with recommendation from Jaleel, which decided to alter the eligibility criteria for the controversial appointment. As government is part of the process, its side should also be heard. Lokayukta pronounced its verdict without considering the government’s argument, the advice further stated.
The government has been advised to file a writ petition at an upper court against the Lokayukta verdict.
At present, Jaleel has submitted a writ petition at the High court. As the legal advice has been obtained, the state government is also likely to file the same soon.
A division bench of the Lokayukta, comprising Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Harun-Ul-Rashid, had on Friday submitted the report against Jaleel to the Chief Minister and had held that the allegation of abuse of power, favouritism and nepotism against the minister was proved.
The Muslim Youth League had on November 2, 2018 alleged that Adeeb K T, a cousin of Jaleel, was appointed general manager in Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation, flouting rules.
Adeeb was serving as manager of a private bank when the appointment was made.
The Lokayukta had found that the minister had changed the qualifications for the post of General Manager in the Corporation to add "B.Tech with PGDBA" also as a qualification for the post to enable his second cousin, eligible for the post.
It had observed that the direction to add the particular qualification was without any proposal or suggestion from the Corporation and that Adeeb would not have been eligible to apply for the post.
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