The High Court on Wednesday stayed further proceedings on a complaint of alleged corruption and nepotism, pending before the Lok Ayukta against Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Biju Prabhakar and Deputy Collector Sheeba George, in the appropriation of public land and reorientation of a 55-year-old sewerage mainline to facilitate the construction of a high-end apartment complex and shopping mall at Pattoor in the capital city.
Justice P.R. Ramachandra Menon, while passing the stay order, made it clear that the order would not stand in the way of the Lok Ayukta proceedings against other officers concerned in accordance with the law.
The court observed that it was proper to grant an interim stay on further proceedings as the petitioners sought to be impleaded in the case.
The petitioners contended that they had not been made party to the proceedings or afforded an opportunity to offer their comments on the complaint. Mr. Prabhakar said that no investigation had been ordered or conducted against the petitioner before making adverse findings against him.