The Hindu : Kerala News : Metropolitan not to appear before Lok Ayukta

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 13, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Metropolitan not to appear before Lok Ayukta

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, MAY 12. The Metropolitan (Malabar Diocese) of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, Yuhanon Mar Phelexinos, today said that he will move the High Court against the Lok Ayukta orders directing him to appear before it on May 31.

The Lok Ayukta had asked him to appear before it today following the Chief Minister's reference of the complaint of the Metropolitan alleging that three IUML leaders - the Textfed chairman, N. Mammotty, the party's Wayanad district general secretary, P.C. Ahmed, and the former MLA, P.P.V. Moosa - had demanded bribe from him to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a B.Ed. college for his diocese.

The Metropolitan had through his advocate sought exemption from appearing before the Lok Ayukta today, which the former turned down and directed the Metropolitan to appear before it on May 31. The Metropolitan told The Hindu over telephone from Meenangadi that as per the legal advice he had received from his advocate, the Lok Ayukta only had powers to recommend to the Government.

"Moreover the Lok Ayukta has not included these three IUML leaders as accused.'' The Metropolitan said that he had decided to move the High Court in view of these happenings.

He reiterated the charge he had made before the Kozhikode Vigilance Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, M.R. Gopalakrishnan Nair, that he was being "harassed'' by the Government, including the Chief Minister, A.K.Antony.

Earlier in the day, the Inquiry Commissioner granted bails to the three IUML leaders upon executing a bond of Rs. 50,000 each and two solvent sureties.

The judge posted the case for June 19 for further proceedings.

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