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Cash-for-verdict scam: Kerala Police register FIR against HC advocate

In the FIR it has been alleged that advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, who is the Kerala High Court Lawyers’ Association President, took Rs 77 lakh from each of his clients on the pretext of giving judges to get favourable orders.

Cash-for-verdict scam: Kerala Police register FIR against HC advocate

Kerala High Court [File Photo]

The Kerala Police have, on Wednesday, filed an FIR against advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, who is facing allegations of collecting lakhs of rupees from his clients on the pretext of bribing judges. A special team will investigate the case.

The case was registered by the Kochi Central Police on the instructions of the state police chief under Section 420 of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988.

It has been alleged that Kidangoor, who is the Kerala High Court Lawyers’ Association President, took Rs 77 lakh from each of his clients on the pretext of giving judges to get favourable orders.

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The Kerala High Court Vigilance wing, which conducted an inquiry into the allegation, has reportedly found prima facie sufficient material to proceed against the accused lawyer. The inquiry was conducted on a high court directive following allegations by some lawyers.

The report said the vigilance team had found several instances of Saiby collecting huge sums of money from clients in the name of Justice P V Kunhikrishnan, Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Ziyad Rahman A A, all high court judges. Though recently elected president of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association, according to the report, Kidangoor has a doubtful integrity.

The police investigation on the matter was initiated following a complaint filed by the high court registrar to the state police chief.

The other day, the Kerala High Court, in an extraordinary action, has recalled the orders granting anticipatory bail to the accused in a case in which the petitioners were represented by advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, who is facing allegation that he has collected lakhs of rupees from his clients on the pretext of bribing judges.

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