KOCHI: The High Court has granted permission to IG Gugulot Laxman to withdraw his petition against the Chief Minister's office. However, he has been ordered to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 for falsely implicating the lawyer in the affidavit. Justice PV Kunjikrishnan's order states that if the penalty amount is not deposited with the High Court Legal Service Authority within one month, revenue recovery action will be initiated.

IG Laxman was accused in Monson Mavungal's financial fraud case related to antiquities. In the petition seeking its quashing it was alleged that the chief minister's office wields extraordinary constitutional authority and that the case against him was the result of invisible interference behind the scenes. Due to the controversy, permission was sought from the High Court to withdraw the petition through another lawyer.

He also provided an affidavit stating that the allegations were added to the petition by the lawyer without his knowledge. The High Court ruled that blaming the lawyer and an IG-ranked official in this manner would adversely affect the lawyer's future. Consequently, a new affidavit was submitted. The IG explained that he could not personally speak to the lawyer as he was undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and had filed the petition over the phone. In the new affidavit, it was stated that the extraneous matter was the result of a notation error and neither the lawyer nor his office staff were responsible. Taking this into consideration, the petition was allowed to be withdrawn.

The petitioner cannot change the pleadings according to his will. A serious allegation was made against the Chief Minister's office. Later it was alleged without evidence that it was a mistake on the part of the lawyer. Application to withdraw plea cannot be allowed without imposition of penalty.

-- High Court