While the ruling Left Democratic Front welcomed the decision of the President, who has signed the Kerala Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill 2022 referred to her by governor Arif Mohammed Khan in November, the Congress cited the assent as a consequence of the 'secret understanding' between the CPM and the BJP
As Sasikumar continues to force the state government into a defensive posture with his petitions and legal battles, another senior citizen 86-year-old Mariyakutty garnered public attention and positioned herself as an unlikely opponent of the ruling front through a distinctive protest involving a begging bowl in Adimali town, Idukki district.
The court issued a ‘letter’ under Rule 51D of the High Court Rules, instead of notice to Chief Minister Piarayi Vijayan, who is the second respondent in the case.
The Supreme Court recently held that the Lok Ayukta, under the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act 1999, cannot issue positive directions and that it only has the jurisdiction to submit a report to the concerned.