In a major setback for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, the Kerala High Court has upheld the Lokayukta report against former Kerala state minister KT Jaleel. The High Court’s ruling came as response to a petition by Jaleel seeking to overturn the unfavourable Lokayukta report that had cost him his minister’s portfolio in the state cabinet.
Jaleel, formerly the Minister for Higher Education and Minority Welfare, resigned a week ago after the Lokayukta held him guilty of nepotism for facilitating the appointment of KT Adeeb, his relative, as General Manager of the Kerala State Minority Development Corporation. Adeeb had been working as the manager of a private bank before his appointment to the minority development corporation.
Jaleel had approached the High Court and had sought to set aside the Lokayukta report on the grounds that proper procedures were not complied with while investigating the case.
Rejecting his petition, the court stated that the Lokayukta had arrived at its decision after considering all files with regard to Adeeb’s appointment.
Earlier, it had been reported that the Kerala government too might move the High Court against the report. The government had even consulted the state’s Advocate General (AG) CP Sudhakara Prasad, asking for legal opinion on the matter.
The AG had had submitted that the government could approach the court as the state government did not get any opportunity to explain its position to the Lokayukta. However, the recent court ruling will force the state government to reconsider its next move.
The Lokayukta report reveals that Jaleel had altered the educational qualifications required for the post to aid his relative’s appointment. This relaxation in eligibility criterion was approved by the state government and the chief minister.
The initial complaint was made on November 2, 2018 by the Muslim Youth League, when it was alleged that Adeeb’s appointment as General Manager had flouted the rules.
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