Kochi: Major discrepancy in MLA disqualification

KOCHI: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader K.M. Shaji, who was disqualified as MLA on charges of using communal propaganda for electoral gains, approached the High Court on Thursday with a fresh petition stating that the leaflets containing the offensive content were not seized by the police from the residence of a UDF leader. He alleged that the police fabricated the evidence and said Sreejith Koderi, the then sub-inspector of Valapattanam police station, was responsible for it.

The court issued a notice to the police official and posted the case for further hearing on December 18. According to Shaji, the offensive leaflet was brought to the police station by a CPM leader, who then registered a complaint in the matter. The sub-inspector had deposed before the High Court that the leaflets were seized from Manorama, the Valapatanam panchayat president. Shaji stated that the sub-inspector had given a false statement in the court and that the police fabricated the case by stating that the leaflets supplied by the CPM leader were seized from the residence of Manorama.

Shaji also pointed out that the mahasar report presented by the sub-inspector in the court did not have any mention of the leaflets being seized from the residence of the panchayat president. He submitted the required documents to prove his claims as evidence in this regard to the court.

A single bench had disqualified Shaji, elected as an MLA from Azhikode Assembly constituency, in November on the basis of the election petition filed by his opponent M.V. Nikesh Kumar alleging malpractices by Shaji, including using religious propaganda during electioneering. Shaji has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the HC verdict and the apex court has granted a conditional stay allowing the IUML member to attend the Assembly.