'Saw him arguing well on television, did complainant see Chief Minister influencing judge?'; Lokayukta lashes out at complainant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lokayukta has lashed out at RS Sasikumar, the complainant who filed a review petition in the CM's relief fund misuse case. While considering the review petition, the Lokayukta asked whether the complainant saw the Chief Minister influencing the Lokayukta. The Lokayukta, which accused RS Sasikumar of defaming the judges, asked Sasikumar's lawyer if there was any evidence to prove that the government influenced the Lokayukta. The review petition will be considered again tomorrow.

In his petition, the complainant demanded that the action referring the case to the three-member bench should be re-examined and that the validity of the case should not be examined anymore. The complainant also pointed out that the case was taken up for hearing after a three-member bench examined its validity.

Both the Lokayukta and the Upa Lokayukta criticized the complainant for commenting on the media and defaming the judges while the case was being considered by the court.

"What is happening now is mob abuse. When a mad dog stands in the way, it is better not to put a stick into its mouth. That's why the court is not saying more," the Lokayukta said. The Upa Lokayukta asked whether the petitioner was sure that he would not get a favorable verdict from the three-member bench.

The advocate, who appeared for the petitioner today, demanded that the petition should be moved to Wednesday as the advocate, who usually appears for the petitioner, was not present. Following this, the Lokayukta asked whether the petitioner was present. When the advocate replied that the petitioner was not present, Upa Lokayukta Harun Al Rashid mocked the petitioner by saying that the petitioner should have argued by coming in person as he was arguing well on television.