Cheque case: Court sentences Pala MLA Mani C Kappan to one year in prison

MUMBAI: Pala MLA Mani C Kappan has been sentenced to one year in prison with a fine of Rs 1.20 crore in the Kannur Airport share scam case. The verdict is from the Mumbai Borivali Magistrate's Court. The court verdict says that the money must be paid within a month. Otherwise, Kappan will have to serve another three months in prison. The court order came in response to a complaint filed by Mumbai industrialist Dinesh Menon. Since the prison sentence is one year, there is no threat to Kappan's MLA's position.

The court verdict is the end of legal proceedings that have been going on since 2015. As per the complaint, more than three crore rupees were embezzled by promising to give shares. The case registered in the Ernakulam Magistrate's Court reached the High Court, but the proceedings did not progress. Subsequently, Mumbai industrialist Dinesh Menon approached the Borivali Court. A case was registered on charges of cheating and conspiracy. The MLA's earlier petition to quash the case was rejected by the Supreme Court.

Mani C Kappan told a media outlet that he will appeal against the sentence. He added that the verdict was given without hearing his side. Mani C Kappan also expressed surprise at the court pronouncing the verdict without him being present.