Kerala BJP chief Surendran, others get bail in poll bribery case

Kochi, Oct 25 (IANS) A court in Kerala on Wednesday granted bail to state BJP President K. Surendran and others, who were named as accused in an election bribery case.

The case has now been posted for November 15.

The Kasargod district and sessions court had taken a strong view after the leaders failed to appear before it on two previous occasions. But on Wednesday Surendran and the other accused remained present before the court.

As the prosecution failed to oppose the bail pleas of Surendran and others, it became easy for them and bail was granted.

Apart from Surendran, five more local BJP leaders were also included as accused.

The case was based on a petition filed by CPI(M) leader V.V. Rameshan, an LDF candidate from Manjeswaram constituency during the April 2021 Assembly elections.

When votes were counted, Surendran came a close second to the Congress-led UDF candidate who won the election by a margin of 745 votes.

The petitioner demanded the arrest of BJP leaders who allegedly paid money, gave mobile phones and promised other favours to BSP candidate K. Sundara to withdraw his nomination from Manjeswaram during the elections. Sundara later alleged that he was given money and mobile to withdraw his candidature in favour of Surendran.

The probe police team, which has submitted its preliminary report, included charges under the SC/ST Act, besides others which included bribery to sabotage elections too.