Published Sep 02, 2026 | 4:14 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 02, 2026 | 4:14 PM
Mani C Kappan and Saneesh Kumar Joseph.
Synopsis: A vigilance court has ordered the registration of a case against Chalakkudy MLA in a corruption case, a day after a Mumbai court had sentenced Pala MLA Mani C Kappan to one year in prison in a cheque bounce case. Both MLAs claimed innocence, and said they would legally challenge the orders.
In a setback to the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in Keralam, two of its MLAs have landed in legal soup in separate cases.
A day after Pala MLA Mani C Kappan was sentenced to one year in prison by the Borivali Magistrate’s Court in Mumbai in a cheque dishonour case, another UDF legislator has landed in legal trouble, with the Thrissur Vigilance Court ordering the registration of a case over allegations of bribery.
The court has directed the Vigilance to register a case against Chalakkudy MLA Saneesh Kumar Joseph, KPCC leader Rajendran Arangath, and six government officials on a complaint alleging that money was demanded to facilitate the issuance of a title deed for a parcel of land in Madakkathara.
The complainant, Devendran of Thanikkudam, alleged that he had been pursuing a title deed for land registered in the name of his mother, Bharathiyamma, for several years.
According to the complaint, Devendran had initially applied for a title deed for 17 cents.
Also Read: Why standing behind the chair may be smarter than sitting
While the title deed for a major portion of the property was reportedly processed, he later sought assistance to secure the document for the remaining portion of the land.
At the time, Joseph was a member of the district panchayat.
Devendran alleged that he approached the MLA, who, along with others, demanded ₹5 lakh to facilitate the process.
When he said he could not afford the amount, the alleged demand was subsequently reduced.
Devendran claimed that he refused to pay the money.
He further alleged that he was threatened and that he subsequently approached Arangath, who was then associated with the local panchayat administration.
The complaint also alleged that other persons involved in the processing of the application sought additional amounts, including ₹50,000 and ₹75,000, as illegal gratification.
Devendran said that despite repeatedly pursuing the matter at the Taluk Office, he was ultimately denied the title deed because he was ineligible.
He alleged that the rejection resulted from influence exerted by those named in his complaint.
Another serious allegation concerns a report allegedly submitted by a former Madakkathara Village Officer.
Devendran claimed the official filed a false report stating that his mother possessed land that, according to him, did not exist.
Maintaining that he and his family had been unable to secure the title deed for years because they refused to pay the alleged bribe, Devendran eventually moved the Thrissur Vigilance Court seeking legal intervention.
Acting on the complaint, the court ordered the registration of a case against Joseph, Arangath and six officials.
Responding to the development, Joseph rejected the allegations, describing the court proceedings as an attempt to intimidate him and extort money.
The MLA said he would challenge the Vigilance Court’s order before the Kerala High Court and maintained that the direction contradicted a Supreme Court ruling.
Arangath also said the case itself is meant to malign, and further action will be planned after discussing it with those concerned.
Also Read: Pala Bar Association elects all-women leadership team
On Tuesday, 1 September, the Borivali Magistrate’s Court in Mumbai sentenced Pala MLA Mani C Kappan to one year in prison in a cheque dishonour case.
The court also directed Kappan to pay ₹5.30 crore as compensation, along with interest, to expatriate Malayali businessman Dinesh Menon.
The amount has to be paid within one month.
If the payment is not made within the stipulated period, Kappan will have to undergo an additional three months in prison, the court ordered.
Menon, a Palakkad native and Mumbai-based businessman, filed the case.
The complaint alleged that Kappan and others had taken money by promising him a stake in the Kannur Airport project and that more than ₹3 crore had been misappropriated.
The court pronounced the sentence in four related cases.
Kappan was not present in court when the verdict was delivered.
As the prison sentence is for one year, his position as MLA is not immediately affected under the applicable disqualification provisions.
Reacting to the verdict, Kappan claimed innocence and said he would legally challenge the case. He is planning to approach the higher court against the verdict.
