Harrisons Malayalam: Govt Pleader Kept in the dark

In an apparent move to weaken the state government's interest in resuming the lands in the illegal possession of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd (HML), special government pleader Susheela R Bhatt, who had been entrusted with the responsibility of handling the entire HML cases, was kept in the dark in a case related to criminal proceedings against HML officials, ultimately facilitating the company to get a stay.

Though the government through a special order (20/4/2012) had entrusted Susheela Bhatt to handle all the cases, it is learned that the files pertaining to criminal proceedings case against the HML officials was not sent to the government pleader. It is alleged that another pleader who had no knowledge about the entire case was entrusted with appearing in the case, which resulted in the granting of the stay to the HML.

It is also alleged that the government counsel who appeared in the case had not consulted the special government pleader.

Allegations have been raised that there was a deliberate move to sabotage the government's initiative of retrieving the lands in the illegal possession of HML. They alleged that such moves could only affect the government's drive against all encroachments in the state. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/201049/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/21-12-2013#page/2/1