Petition filed seeking disqualification of Mani C Kappan and by-election in Pala

KOCHI: A petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court seeking the disqualification of Pala MLA Mani C Kappan, who was convicted in a cheque case. The petition was filed by the NRI businessman who was the complainant in the case. The petitioner claims that Kappan became disqualified from September 1.

The petitioner said a complaint was submitted to the Kerala Assembly Speaker seeking Kappan’s disqualification, but no action was taken. The petition also alleges that the Speaker is deliberately delaying the proceedings.

The petitioner has sought an order preventing Mani C Kappan from receiving the benefits of an MLA until the petition is disposed of. The plea also seeks a direction to the Election Commission to conduct a by-election in Pala. The High Court is expected to consider the petition on Monday.

Kappan was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and fined Rs 5.30 crore in four cheque cases.

Meanwhile, the Borivali Magistrate Court in Mumbai recently withdrew the non-bailable warrant issued against Kappan. The warrant had been issued after he failed to appear before the court when the verdict was pronounced. The court withdrew the warrant after Kappan appeared in person and submitted an application. Kappan had recently said that he had been given 30 days to appeal the conviction and sentence before a higher court.