The Lokayukta has found Kerala Education Minister KT Jaleel guilty in the nepotism controversy. A Lokayukta division bench has ruled that Jaleel violated his oath by showing nepotism and was not eligible to continue as a minister. The verdict was handed down on a complaint related to the appointment to the post of General Manager of the Kerala State Minority Development Finance Corporation.
The verdict is indicative that KT Jaleel abused his powers in appointing his relative to the post. The verdict states that making his cousin KT Adeeb the General Manager of the Minority Corporation was against the rules established. The Lokayukta has asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to remove Jaleel from the Cabinet. However, it is yet unknown whether it would come to be since the cabinet has only a few days left.
Earlier, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had told the High Court that the nepotism allegation against Jaleel was “politically motivated” and did not attract provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
