Kasaragod : The trial court on Tuesday clarified there is no other way for BJP state president K Surendran than to appear personally before it, in connection with the Manjeshwaram election bribery case in which he is prime accused. The court had summoned all accused to appear. Surendran’s discharge plea will be taken up for hearing on 25th of this month.
Seven defense lawyers including that of Surendran’s argued that it was not essential for them to appear in person, given that they had filed discharge petition in the case. Special Public Prosecutor C Shukur argued that the defendants did not show up in court even once and with their not receiving documents related to the case personally, the defense lawyers arguments will not sustain. The case was heard by District Sessions Court in Kasaragod.
The Case: In the Assembly elections of 2021, BSP candidate in Majeswaram , Sundara, was abducted, taken to a desolated location and coerced to withdraw the nomination papers he had filed. He was paid 2.5 lakh rupees and a high-end mobile phone as bribe. The accused other than K Surendran are : Surendran’s chief election agent and former BJP District President Adv Balakrishnan Shetty, former Yuva Morcha state treasurer Sunil Naik, K Manikanda Rai, Y Suresh and Lokesh Noda.
Post the elections, Sundara disclosed what happened and LDF candidate in Manjeswaram , VV RAmesan, approached the court and Badiyatukka police with complaint, which was later handed over to Crime Branch for investigations. The chargesheet submitted to court also includes sections under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities(Prevention) Act.
