THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan responded in the Lokayukta Ordinance. He told media that he is obliged to approve the decisions of the cabinet.

The high court had the other day considered the plea of R S Sasi Kumar, former syndicate member of Kerala University and a native of the capital city, against the Lokayukta Ordinance. A bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar said the decisions taken by the government or other concerned authorities on the basis of the amendment would be subject to a final verdict against the amendment. The petitioner's request to stay the ordinance was not granted. The plea seeking a reply from the government was postponed to March 7.

The ordinance was passed removing the legal system that empowers the Lokayukta to remove public servants from office if they are found guilty in a corruption case. Even if the Lokayukta finds that public servants are corrupt, the government can decide whether to implement it or not. When the petitioners alleged that the amendment would weaken the Lokayukta, the court held that the decisions taken by the government and others under the amendment would be subject to the final judgment of the petition.