Kerala HC directs vigilance to return money seized from IUML leader KM Shaji’s house

Kochi (Kerala) [India]: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ordered the return of the money seized by the vigilance from Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former MLA K M Shaji’s house during the raid.

The HC’s order against the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) came on a petition filed by Shaji.

Justice Ziyad Rehman ordered to release Rs 47.35 lakh on the basis of a bank guarantee. The court accepted Shaji’s demand that the action of the vigilance was illegal and that they should return the money.

Last year, vigilance seized money from Shaji’s house in Azheekode. Shaji’s contention was that the money was collected for election activities.

Shaji approached the Kozhikode Vigilance Court to get the money back, but the court rejected the demand. The action was considered suspicious, including the fact that more money than the recoverable amount was found in many receipts. Then Shaji approached the High Court.

The vigilance case was based on the complaint of CPM activist Harish that Shaji had built a house worth one and a half crore rupees in Kozhikode through the illegal acquisition of property. The High Court had earlier stayed further proceedings in the case.