[ad_1]
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (). In a relief to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala Lokayukta on Friday referred the matter relating to misuse of the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) by the previous government to a full bench in view of a split verdict by a two-judge bench.
The verdict has come as a temporary relief for Vijayan as he can heave a sigh of relief till the full bench pronounces its verdict.
Senior apex court advocate MR Abhilash said there is merit in the case and now the full bench will decide.
The matter gained momentum only after the petitioner in the matter, which has been awaiting judgment for the last one year, approached the High Court last week seeking its intervention.
The High Court asked the petitioner to approach the Lokayukta with his petition and after the verdict came, the Lokayukta decided to take up the matter on Friday.
Public worker R.S. Sasikumar had filed the case in 2018, which pertains to misappropriation of funds in the CMDRF.
Sasikumar had alleged that the money was given to those who were not eligible for the relief. These included the family of a slain CPI(M) MLA, the family of a top leader of the Left ally who passed away, and the family of a Kerala police officer who died accompanying the then top leader of the CPI(M), Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. The time was due to the accident of his vehicle.
cbt
Follow Niharika Times for all the big news from India and abroad. Like us on Facebook and Twitter . Always visit Niharika Times for latest news.