THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lokayukta large bench will hear the petition alleging favoritism in the allocation of the Chief Minister's relief fund on April 12. The Lokayukta Justices had recorded a dissenting opinion after the completion of a year-long hearing in the case implicating the Chief Minister and 18 ministers of the first Pinarayi government. It was after this that the large bench of the Lokayukta took the decision to hear the case again.

The petition was filed by RS Sasikumar, a former syndicate member of Kerala University. It alleges favoritism and corruption in the allocation of funds from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund which was done as per the Cabinet decision during the previous government. It was decided to leave the case to the full bench due to a difference in opinion between Lokayukta Justice Syriak Joseph and Justice Haroon Al Rasheed regarding the verdict in the case. One of the judges ruled in favor of the complaint and the other ruled against it. The difference in opinion was on the topic of whether the case would stand and whether it could be examined by the Lokayukta. Due to these issues, it was decided to leave the case to the full bench of the Lokayukta for the final verdict.

Meanwhile, the petitioner informed that there is ambiguity in the judgment of Lokayukta and hence he will file a writ petition in the High Court. RS Sasikumar stated that the government is trying to prolong the case just like the Lavlin case is being prolonged and if needed he will go to the Supreme Court to seek justice.