THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lokayukta asserted that the review plea in the case of misusing the chief minister’s relief fund will not stand. A bench led by Lokayuta Justice Cyriac Joseph and deputy Upa Lokayukta Haroon Al Rasheed dismissed the plea citing weak arguments of the petitioner.

The larger bench will consider the case later today. Meantime, the petitioner R S Sasikumar responded that it was an expected order. He added that the legal fight will continue till justice is obtained and will approach the high court.

Sasikumar filed a review plea demanding to re-examine the judgment of the two-member bench which left the legality of the dissenting judgment of March 31 to the full bench. A full bench chaired by Lokayukta Justice Pious Kuriakos ordered that it has authority to hear the case after hearing detailed arguments in 2019. Sasikumar pointed out this order also.

The Lokayukta had harshly criticized Sasikumar yesterday. Justice Cyriac Joseph said that if there is evidence for the chief minister influencing him in the relief fund misappropriation case, he should say that and that he is defaming the judges. Upa Lokayukta justice Haroon Al Rasheed started the criticism by asking whether Sasikumar was present. When the lawyer said that he has not arrived, the Upa Lokayukta quipped that he could have come and argued in person and that he was good at arguing on channels.

It is with a different calculation that the petitioner is saying that he does not trust the Lokayukta. Upa Lokayukta also said that someone has influenced. 'What is happening is mob abuse. If you see rabies dog, it is better to divert your way and go. Should not go and irritate it. That's why not saying more and only what needs to be said should be asserted, criticized Justice Cyriac Joseph.