Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor on Wednesday resigned as President of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA), amidst controversy surrounding an alleged bribery scam.
Few days back, the Kerala High Court refused to issue a ruling on Kidangoor’s petition to quash the Kerala Police’s FIR against him for allegedly stealing thousands of rupees from his clients under the pretence of using the money to bribe justices of the Kerala High Court.
According to a notice issued by the KHCAA, its Executive Committee had discussed Kidangoor’s resignation letter that was submitted earlier today and had unanimously decided to accept it.
In his resignation letter, which he says he wrote with a “wounded heart,” Kidangoor reiterated his position, which he has held since the controversy began, that the allegations are false and fabricated by some lawyers who are also KHCAA members and have a vendetta against him.
According to him, the allegations have tarnished the entire legal profession and justice delivery system.
He claimed that the “hollowness of the allegations, as well as the conspiracy behind the entire episode,” would be revealed.
However, he stated that it would be only fair to delegate the position of President of KHCAA until then.
“I firmly believe that my resignation would certainly help to spare the members of the Bar from being vexed and confronted with any unpleasant situation arising out of the whole scandal. Therefore, in the fitness of things, I am prompted to take this decision to relieve from all the responsibilities as the President of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association,” the resignation letter read.
Kidangoor, who was only recently elected as the president of the KHCAA, has been the subject of debate since his fellow attorneys’ accusations against him gained popularity on social media.
A lawyer claimed in a Facebook post that Kidangoor had been collecting enormous quantities of money from certain clients, including some famous people, with the intention of bribing justice A Muhamed Mustaque, justice PV Kunhikrishnan, and justice Ziyad Rahman AA.
After this incident, an FIR has been lodged against him Kidangoor. He was booked under Section 420 (cheating and dishonesty inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code which is a cognisable and non-bailable offence.
According to a press release from the State Police, the preliminary investigation revealed that the allegations against Kidangoor have merit, prompting the filing of a first information report (FIR) against him.
Kidangoor then approached the Kerala High Court to have the FIR dismissed.
However, the Court decided to instruct the prosecutor before even admitting the plea. It also refused to provide him with any temporary protection.
Dismissing the petition, Justice Kauser Edappagath stated that it was premature and asked the bar president why he was attempting to quash the FIR rather than proving his innocence by allowing the law to take its course.
“Let the Police find out the truth! This is premature. If ultimately the police dont get any material against you, then of course, the case against you won’t stand,” the Court reasoned.
