HC orders interim stay on Lokayukta order against Thiruvanthapuram Collector

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the Lokayukta probe order against Thiruvanthapuram District Collector Biju Prabhakar and Deputy Collector Sheeba George in connection with alleged anomalies in granting permission for building a mall at Pattoor in the state capital.

The interim order in this regard was passed by Justice P R Ramachandra Menon on petitions moved by the two officials.

The petitioners had sought a declaration that the Lokayukta's order was illegal and in violation of natural justice.

The Lokayukta had found the petitioners and others guilty of maladministration without any enquiry and without hearing them, it was alleged. They stated that they were not even parties to the proceedings and it was totally illegal and unconstitutional.

Biju Prabhakar submitted that there was no charge against him in the complaint and no findings were made against him in the investigation reports and hence the Lokayukta's conclusion was not supported by any material.

The case relates to alleged encroachment of 16.5 cents (1 acre=100 cents) of government land by a builder.

The Kerala Water Authority had filed a complaint before the Lokayukta alleging corruption and nepotism in appropriation of public land and re-orientation of a sewerage mainline to facilitate construction of the apartment complex and shopping mall at Pattoor.