The Kerala High Court on Wednesday has stayed further proceedings related to the discharge of BJP state president K. Surendran and 5 others in the Manjeshwaram election bribery case.
Justice K. Babu admitted the criminal revenue petition filed by the state government against the sessions court’s October 5 order and stated, “Admit. Further proceedings stayed. Post on November 8.”
On October 5, Surendran and the others were discharged by Kasaragod Sessions Judge Sanu S. Panicker. The sessions judge noted that Surendran, as the first accused, was discharged from offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The judge remarked, “Since the first accused is discharged of the alleged offences, I do not find any grounds to proceed against the other accused also. Hence, they are also discharged of all the alleged offences.”
Surendran claimed that “truth prevailed” and characterized the case as a fabricated attempt to undermine his political future. Conversely, the opposition Congress party suggested that his discharge indicated a mutual arrangement between the CPI(M) and BJP to protect each other’s interests.
The charges against Surendran included intimidating his rival candidate to withdraw from the 2021 Assembly elections in Manjeswaram. He faced accusations under the non-bailable provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as well as sections 171 (B) and (E) related to bribery under the IPC.
The case originated from a petition filed by V.V. Ramesan, the CPI(M) candidate who competed against Surendran in Manjeswaram. Following the petition, the matter was transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.
Additionally, BSP candidate Sundara alleged that he was threatened and subsequently offered a bribe of ₹2.5 lakh by the BJP to withdraw from the contest. He claimed that Sunil Naik, a leader of the Yuva Morcha and close associate of Surendran, handed him the money and a smartphone.
The BJP has categorically denied these allegations.
Sundara, a Yakshagana artist, had previously contested the election in 2016 and filed his nomination again in 2021, but ultimately withdrew. In the 2021 elections, Surendran lost to IUML candidate A.K.M. Ashraf, who secured 65,758 votes, while Surendran garnered 65,013 votes. CPI(M)’s Ramesan received 40,639 votes.
As the case unfolds, the Kerala High Court’s decision to stay proceedings emphasizes the ongoing legal complexities surrounding election-related disputes in the region.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 8, where further developments are expected.
