Kerala HC upholds Lok Ayutka order against Jaleel

It dismisses petition from former Minister as ‘without any merit’

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a writ petition filed by K.T. Jaleel, former Minister for Higher Education and Minority Welfare, challenging the Lok Ayukta's order finding him guilty of abuse of power and nepotism in appointing his relative K.T. Adeeb to the post of general manager, Kerala State Minorities Finance Development Corporation, on deputation from a private bank. Dismissing the petition, the Bench comprising Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar and Justice K. Babu observed that the Lok Ayukta was acting within the scope of its powers while arriving at its conclusion. The petitioner had not made out any ground for interference in the final opinion formulated by the Lok Ayukta .The writ petition, in the circumstances, was “without any merit and the same is accordingly dismissed in limine.”