Thiruvananthapuram: The leader of opposition, VD Satheesan, has criticized the split verdict of the Lok Ayukta in the case of the misuse of the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. Satheesan alleged that the verdict was intended to bail out the Chief Minister and ensure that the final verdict would not be delivered as long as Pinarayi Vijayan remained in power. He added that the credibility of the Lok Ayukta is at risk due to the verdict, which violates the law. Satheesan also accused K.T. Jaleel of threatening the Lok Ayukta to obtain the verdict, with the knowledge of the Chief Minister.
Satheesan further noted that the delay of one year in delivering the verdict is suspicious, and the number of cases coming for the Lok Ayukta’s consideration is decreasing. He also called for the higher courts to intervene in the matter, as the verdict is of such a nature as to destroy the trust of the people in institutions like the Lok Ayukta.
The verdict referred the petition to the Full Bench again, despite a ruling to that effect already existing. Satheesan said that the verdict could be postponed indefinitely, or there would be no verdict until Pinarayi Vijayan leaves the post of Chief Minister. Alternatively, there could be a compromise with the Kerala Governor at any moment.
Satheesan added that the amendment bill related to the issue was brought in by the Chief Minister fearing the verdict in this case, and the Governor has not signed it. He urged the higher courts to take the issue seriously and intervene, as the verdict is an attempt to defang the Lok Ayukta.