Kerala - Kochi   

`No impropriety in Muringoor probe'

Kochi: Observing that religious institutions are not above law, the Kerala High Court on Thursday said there was no impropriety or illegality in the police investigation into the affairs of the Divine Retreat Centre at Muringoor in Thrissur district.

The court dismissed the writ petition filed by Fr. John Panakkal, the centre's director, challenging the police action and to declare the raid as illegal and seeking Rs.1 crore compensation. Justice R. Basant said the court was unable to find any specific act of impropriety or illegality or any act without authority committed by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Inspector General Vinson M. Paul. The action of the SIT on September 30 and October 1 last when searches were conducted at the centre did not appear to be beyond their jurisdictional competence. "Nothing has been brought to my notice which would persuade court to grant relief in favour of the petitioner," the judge held. Declining to grant the plea, the court, however, said if there was any illegal action from the police, aggrieved party could take recourse to law.

Bail plea rejected

The High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of C.P. Moideen Koya, accused in the Marad carnage case, in which nine persons were killed in 2003, and directed the Special Court, Kozhikode, to complete examination of the accused within five months. The directive in this regard was issued by Justice V. Ramkumar. He said if the task was not over within the period, it should be reported to the High Court. — PTI

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