In a significant legal turn, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered a halt to further proceedings concerning the discharge of BJP state president K Surendran and five others in the Manjeshwaram election bribery case.
Justice K Babu presided over the matter, admitting the criminal revenue petition filed by the state government challenging the recent sessions court decision. The High Court declared, “Admit. Further proceedings stayed. Post on November 8,” indicating a pause in the case until next month.
The controversy began with the October 5 ruling by Kasaragod Sessions Judge Sanu S Panicker, who discharged Surendran and others, citing insufficient grounds to proceed against them. The decision came under scrutiny as it involved serious allegations, including intimidation and bribery, to influence electoral outcomes.
Surendran was implicated in 2021 for allegedly intimidating a rival candidate from the Manjeshwaram constituency and was charged under stringent sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Indian Penal Code concerning bribery.*
This case drew widespread attention as the BJP state chief claimed the accusations were concocted to damage his political image, while the opposition Congress suggested a covert understanding between the CPI(M) and BJP, insinuating a political motive behind the discharge.
Amidst the legal and political drama, BSP candidate Sundara, also involved in the case, alleged that he was coerced into withdrawing from the contest, further intensifying the scandal. The case, which was escalated to the Crime Branch following a magistrate court’s directive, has now seen a temporary pause, casting a shadow on the political landscape of Kerala.
