KOCHI: The High Court has granted stay on the arrest of ex-MLA K M Shaji till July 26 in a bribery case. He is accused of accepting Rs 25 lakh as bribe from the school management of Kannur Azhikode High School to grant Plus two batch. The interim order is declared by Justice K Babu in K M Shaji's plea to cancel the case.

The High Court sought an explanation from the government and will consider the petition again on July 26. In 2017, a complaint filed by a CPM local leader to the Chief Minister, alleging that the management had paid bribes to grant higher secondary courses to Azhikode High School, had been handed over to the Vigilance SP. It is alleged that the case was registered by Vigilance after seeking a legal advice twice on the issue.