HC dismisses election petition against minister

Kochi, Dec 6 (UNI) Kerala High Court today dismissed the election petition filed by the defeated candidate Umesh Challiyil of UDF.

He challenged the election of CPI's K P Rajendran, who subsequently became the State Revenue Minister, representing the Kodungallur Constituency.

The petitioner alleged that the election of Mr Rajendran should be treated as void on the ground that corrupt practices referrable to section 123(A) of the representation of people Act, 1951 had been committed either by Mr Rajendran's election agent or by some other person with the consent of Mr Rajendran or his election agent.

The respondent, Mr Rajendran had filed an objection stating that the verification of the election petition was defective and affidavit was not proper and the source of information regarding the allegations of corrupt practices had not been pleaded.

Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan accepting the contention of the respondent held that election petition was defective for want of proper verification and such defects had not been rectified, despite objection, but was pressed for consideration without correcting the defect and the same was liable to be rejected.

UNI XR RK KVV BDP RS2122