Kochi : The High Court has frozen the guilty verdict against Lakshadweep MP Muhammad Faisal delivered by the Kavaratti Sessions Court, that sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
The High Court stay comes over Faisal’s plea to overturn the guilty verdict. The HC ruling brings relief to 4 others, also sentenced along with the MP. All men currently lodged in Kannur jail and will not be released on immediate basis. The Stay was pronounced by Bench headed by Bechu Kurian Thomas.
Furious and fast:
The Centre hurriedly announced bypoll in the constituency, without bothering to wait for oucome of the Appeal Faisal filed with the High Court against his native court conviction.
The NCC MP Mohammad Faisal was sentenced to imprisonment by the Kavarathi Sessions Court over incidents that occurred during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
On January 11, the Sessions Court sentenced Faisal and others to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of of rs 1 lakh each. Two days later, , on the 13th, the Lok Sabha Secretary General Secretary disqualified Faisal as MP. The Election Commission picked on the speed game and declared byelections on the 18th.
The Case
A Congress worker Mohammed Salih sustained serious injuries during conflict that broke during elections. There were 32 accused in the case of whom the first four were sentenced guilty and imprisoned.
Meantime
The Supreme Court will consider the writ petition filed by Muhammad Faisal against the Election Commission notification announcing the Lok Sabha by-election on the 27th.
