Why target small fish and spare big bosses, asks Kerala High Court

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Friday quashed the FIR registered against Uma Sanker,  the then village officer of Puthenvelikkara,  in the controversial land mutation case of 2008 involving rape convict Santhosh Madhavan in a 91-acre land deal.

Justice B. Kemal Pasha  criticised the Vigilance for not acting against higher-ups in the case. “It is strange to note that the VACB has not cared even to lift its little finger against any higher-ups. On the contrary they have chosen to pinpoint the village officer who is the lowest in the cadre of officers under the revenue head.”

The court quashed the case and observed “the mutation has already been cancelled on August 25, 2008. There is absolutely nothing to pinpoint the petitioner alone in the matter when the mutation has been cancelled.” It also observed “it seems the mischief has been undone. The state does not lose anything at all.”

The Vigilance case related to the Sub-Registrar, Chennamangalam,  and Uma Sanker, the then village officer, entering into a conspiracy with the Managing Director of Adarsh Prime Properties, Bangalore.