The Kerala High Court has recently ordered the return of the money seized by the vigilance from Indian Union Muslim League leader and former MLA KM Shaji’s house during the raid.
The order of HC against the state Vigilance and ACB came on a petition filed by Shaji.
Justice Ziyad Rehman ordered to release Rs 47.35 lakh on the basis of a bank guarantee. The court accepted Shaji’s demand that the action of the vigilance was illegal and that they should return the money.
Last year, vigilance seized money from Shaji’s house in Azheekode. Shaji’s contention was that the money was collected for the election activities.
Shaji approached the Kozhikode Vigilance Court to get the money back, but the court rejected the demand.
The action was considered suspicious, including the fact that more money than the recoverable amount was found in many receipts. Then Shaji approached the High Court.
The vigilance case was based on the complaint of CPM activist Harish that Shaji built a house worth one and a half crore rupees in Kozhikode through the illegal acquisition of property.
Earlier, the High Court stayed further proceedings in the case.
