Kerala HC disqualifies MLA Karat Razak

The Kerala High Court on Thursday disqualified Left-backed Independent MLA Karat Razak for his defamatory campaign against the IUML's M.A. Razak during the May 2016 Assembly polls.

The single bench Judge, however, granted a month's time for the legislator to appeal as it stayed the verdict.

Justice Abraham Mathew ruled that Karat Razak would be able to take part in all Assembly proceedings, but could not vote nor collect his allowances as a member.

The petition against the Independent MLA was filed by K.P. Mohammed, a voter in the Koduvally assembly constituency in Kozhikode district.

According to Mohammed's counsel, during the 2016 election campaign, a 20 minute video was widely circulated in the constituency by Karat Razak against his Indian Union Muslim League opponent.

The court held it was in violation of the Representation of People's Act and comes under "corrupt practice" and disqualified Karat Razak.

Karat Razak, who is himself a former IUML member, had defeated M.A. Razak by a margin of 573 votes. Karat Razak was backed by the CPI-M-led LDF.

Karat Razak told the media that he would move the Supreme Court against the verdict.

--IANS

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