The decision to seek the explanation was taken after receiving a letter from the Union Law Ministry, seeking action in the matter.
Kerala High Court (Creative Commons)
The Kerala Bar Council on Monday, 30 January, sought an explanation from Saiby Jose Kidangoor, a leading lawyer in the state, who is facing allegations of having tried to settle cases at the high court by bribing judges.
Chairperson of the Council KN Anilkumar said the decision to seek the explanation was taken following steps taken in connection with the issue by the high court and a letter received from the Union Law Ministry for action in the matter.
Anilkumar said the decision was taken at an urgent meeting of the Council on Monday evening.
On 19 January, the Union Law Ministry forwarded to the Kerala Bar Council a complaint received by it against the lawyer Saiby Jose Kidangoor who is also an officer-bearer of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association.
The letter received by the Council on 27 January states that it was being forwarded for “necessary action at your end” and to communicate the action taken to the complainant.
A section of lawyers has been alleging that the advocate has been collecting lakhs of rupees from his clients claiming that they were kickbacks to certain higher judicial officers.
Anilkumar said the vigilance wing of the Kerala High Court has already inquired into the matter and submitted a report before the Full Court.
A senior police official from Thiruvananthapuram on Monday stated that a report has been submitted before the state police chief in connection with the cases handled by lawyer Saiby Jose Kidangoor, who is also an office-bearer of a lawyers’ association.
“We have submitted an unbiased and objective report on the matters pointed out by the high court,” the senior police official told PTI.
Kerala Director General of Police Anil Kant’s office said that it has received the report and that the state police chief was considering it.
“The high court had directed the state police to look into the allegations in connection with the lawyer. The report was submitted by the Kochi City Police Commissioner. The DGP is considering it,” acknowledged Anil Kant’s office.
(With inputs from PTI)
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