From rxpgnews.com
Kerala High Court rebuffs minister's apology
By IANS,
Apr 2, 2007 - 2:00:50 PM
Thiruvananthapuram, April 2 - The Kerala High Court Monday refused to accept an apology by Local Self Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty for a speech in which he cast aspersions on the judiciary.
Stating that Kutty's speech in Kozhikode on Jan 30 in which he said verdicts these days were decided on the basis of thickness of currency notes had seriously affected the prestige of the court, a division bench posted the case for further hearing on April 11.
Disposing of the apology by the minister, the bench said: 'He should instead apologise to the people. If he does that, then maybe we can consider it when we declare the punishment. He is no ordinary citizen, instead is a responsible minister.'
The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice M.N. Krishnan had taken suo motu cognisance of the statement and taken up contempt proceedings against the minister.
Kutty, who is currently in Delhi to attend the central committee meeting of the Communist Party of India-Marxist -, did not react to the observation by the court.
Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy, state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala and Bharatiya Janata Party state president P.K. Krishnadas have demanded that Kutty resign with immediate effect.
'There is no more point in waiting for the final verdict, he should resign immediately,' said Chandy.
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