The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, November 26, upheld a Kerala High Court ruling, dismissing bribery and money laundering charges against Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader KM Shaji. The decision comes as a significant relief for the firebrand politician, known for his vocal opposition to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M). Shaji, a former two-time legislator, is one of the ruling CPI(M)’s foremost political opponents in Kerala.
The case stemmed from allegations that Shaji accepted a bribe of Rs 25 lakh in 2014-15. The bribe was allegedly given by the manager of Azhikode Higher Secondary School, Kannur, in exchange for sanctioning a Class 12 course. The complaint was lodged by local CPI(M) leader K Padmanabhan, leading to an investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Both the Kerala government and the ED filed special leave petitions against the High Court's decision to quash the case, which were dismissed by the Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih.
During the trial, the Supreme Court reviewed statements from 54 witnesses. Justice Oka highlighted that none of the witnesses provided direct evidence of Shaji demanding or receiving the money. "Not a single witness says that the demand was made in his presence and money was paid to him," Justice Oka stated. The court expressed concern that such accusations could be used to target any politician. "If we allow this, any politician can be roped in..." he said.
IUML leader and Rajya Sabha member Harris Beeran hailed the verdict, alleging that the case was politically motivated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others opposed to Shaji's criticism of the CPI(M).