Kochi: The Kerala high court has made it clear that the assembly vandalism case cannot be withdrawn. The court rejected the petition filed by the state government seeking permission to withdraw the case. It also made it clear that those involved in the case including ministers K T Jaleel and E P Jayarajan will have to face the trial.

The vandalism inside Kerala assembly took place during the budget presentation of the then finance minister K M Mani while he was facing bar bribery allegations. Public property was destroyed and clashes took place in the assembly on the day. Charge sheet was submitted in connection with the incident.

It was pointed out in the charge sheet that public property worth Rs 2.5 lakh was destroyed. Charge sheet was against six opposition MLAs including K T Jaleel, EP Jayarajan, V Sivankutty and C K Sadasivan. The government approached the high court as the trial court started proceedings related to the case.

Ministers K T Jaleel and EP Jayarajan will have to face the trial as the case could not be withdrawn. Earlier, the government had filed a plea in the trial court raising the same request. When this was rejected a review petition was filed in the high court. This plea has been rejected now.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and others were added as opposing party in the petition to withdraw the vandalism case. The opposition leader demanded not to withdraw the case.

  niyamasabha