Kasaragod : BJP state president K Surendran failed to show up in court on Thursday and instead filed plea to drop charges against him in the Manjeshwaram election bribery case. Surendran’s lawyer argued his presence in court was not essential now that he has filed the discharge plea. The court will hear arguments in this regard on 4 October and rule whether or not the arraigned individuals must appear before it in the case.
Earlier, the court issued strict instructions for Surendran and co-accused persons to appear on Thursday in person. The discharge petition from Surendran came later.
The case accuses K Surendran and others for abduction and illegal confinement of BSP candidate K Sundara during last Assembly elections and further persuading him to withdraw his nomination paper for a bribe of Rs. 2.5 lakhs and a mobile phone.
K Surendran is prime accused in the case followed by his chief agent and BJP former District President Adv K Balakrishnan, former Yuva Morcha State Treasurer Sunil Naik, K Mandikanda Ria, Y Suresh and Lokesh Noda. A special team led by District Crime Branch DySP A Satish Kumar conducted the investigation and filed chargesheet in the case.
The case was booked after LDF candidate in Manjeswaram, VV Ramesan, petitioned the Kasaragod 1st Class Magistrate Court following K Sundara’s revelation to him on what happened.
Thereafter, Baidadukka police registered the case following court Order and investigation was handed to District Crime Branch. The chargesheet was filed under SC/ST Atrocities(Prevention) Act and includes non-bailable charges.
