KOZHIKODE: Vigilance Special Judge T. Madhusudanan rejected the plea filed by Muslim League leader KM Shaji seeking the return of the money seized by the Vigilance in connection with the case of illegal acquisition of property. The petition sought the return of seized Rs 47.35 lakh. The court dismissed the petition accepting Vigilance's argument that returning the money would affect the case.

The court did not accept Shaji's contention that the money seized from his house was election funds received from the party's booth committees. Shaji had submitted documents, including receipts of Rs 20,000, as evidence in the Kozhikode Vigilance Court. The vigilance had found that this was not included in the figures given by Shaji to the Election Commission. Vigilance informed the court that the Election Commission did not permit collecting such huge amounts through receipt.

The vigilance had seized the money from Shaji's house in Azhikode during a search conducted following an illegal acquisition case against him. Shaji's lawyer said that he would approach the High Court against the rejection of the petition.