It has been over a year since the Lokayukta’s hearing on a petition against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several ministers, yet no decision has been reached. The petitioner in the case, former syndicate member of Kerala University R.S., alleged that the relief fund was misused. Another complainant, Sasikumar, has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the case.
The hearing began on February 5, 2022 and ended on March 18 of the same year. The bench hearing the case was composed of Lokayukta Justice Cyriak Joseph and Deputy Lokayukta Justice Haroon ul Rasheed. Despite the Supreme Court’s observation that the verdict should be given within six months, no decision has been passed by the Lokayukta.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has issued an ordinance amending the Lokayukta Act, which was later passed by the legislature but did not become law as the governor did not sign it. In the previous Pinarayi government, minister KT Jalil had to resign due to a Lokayukta verdict.
The delay in the verdict has caused frustration among those who filed the petition, with concerns raised about the effectiveness of the Lokayukta in addressing corruption allegations against high-level officials. The case has garnered significant public attention and scrutiny, with many waiting to see what the eventual outcome will be.
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