Kerala legislator K.T. Jaleel resigned as the higher education minister from the Pinarayi Vijayan government on Tuesday following a Lok Ayukta report that found him guilty of nepotism and favouritism. The resignation letter has been sent to the Chief Minister's Office.
The opposition was baying for Jaleel's blood after the Kerala Lok Ayukta on Friday found him guilty of abusing his position as a public servant to obtain a favour for his relative and submitted a report to the chief minister saying he should not continue as a minister. A division bench of the Lok Ayukta, headed by Justice Cyriac Joseph and Upa Lok Ayukta, Justice Harun-Ul-Rashid, said the allegation of abuse of power, favoritism and nepotism against the minister has been proved.
Jaleel had refuted the allegations and moved the high court on Monday challenging the Lok Ayukta report. He claimed that both the high court and the Governor of Kerala had not entertained the petitions when the issue came up before them. He alleged that the report was prepared without conducting any preliminary enquiry or regular investigation.
The Lok Ayukta verdict was on a complaint filed by a Muslim Youth League leader in November 2018, alleging that Adeeb, a cousin of Jaleel,was appointed general manager in the Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation, flouting rules.
Adeeb was the manager of a private bank when the appointment was made.
