Relief Fund: Lokayukta verdict upheld

KOCHI: The High Court has upheld the decision of the Lokayukta, which left the complaint of misappropriation of the Chief Minister's relief fund to a three-member full bench after a detailed argument. The complainant questioned the action of the Lokayukta.

The petition filed by R S Sasikumar was dismissed by the division bench consisting of Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice V G Arun. Sasikumar filed a complaint in the Lokayukta against the Chief Minister and the ministers of the previous Left government, alleging that money was given to the undeserving from the relief fund. At the first stage, there was a dispute as to whether the Lokayukta could consider the complaint against the Cabinet decision. The Full Bench considered the matter and clarified that the Lokayukta could consider it. The Division Bench then heard the argument and adjourned it to March 18, 2022 for judgment. But even after a year there was no verdict. Referring to this, the petitioner approached the High Court. The High Court disposed of the petition stating that the petitioner can raise the matter in the Lokayukta. On March 31, 2023, a division bench comprising Lokayukta Justice Cyriak Joseph and Deputy Lokayukta Justice Haroon ul Rasheed delivered the verdict. The verdict was that the money was allocated from the relief fund as per the cabinet decision and as there was a difference of opinion in the division bench on whether the Lokayukta can intervene in it, it was left for the consideration of the three-member full bench.

The complainant approached the High Court against this. It was argued that once this dispute was examined and settled, it was not legal to refer the petition to the full bench again on the same grounds. The division bench, which heard the petition yesterday, asked what was wrong in leaving it to the full bench if there was such a dispute. It is also stated that this can be done legally. The petition was then dismissed.