The UAE’s recommendation for bestowing the Padma Shri to NRI Sundar Aditya Menon has been challenged in Kerala High court.
A petition filed by C K Padmanabhan of Changaroth in Kozhikode has alleged that Menon was involved in criminal cases and there are cases registered against him.
Menon was recommended for the award for his contribution in the field of social work. The petition alleges that though Menon is a native of Kerala, no reference was made from the state government's side, before including him in the list.
The Times of India reported that the petitioner alleged that Menon had been involved in anti-social activities of for the past 30 years and it was reliably known that he was involved in a customs case related to gold smuggling in Mumbai.
The report also says that a case against Menon for criminal breach of trust, cheating, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy, which was registered in Thrissur's East Fort police station.
The petition reportedly says that the UAE govt recommended Menon without checking his background. The petition also points that UAE's recommendation for granting Padma Shri to Menon was illegal, according to Article 18 of Indian constitution.