Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jun 22: The state high court has quashed hearing into election-related dispute, case relating to which had been filed in the court.

Justice Sunil Mathias, who presided over a single judge bench of the high court, passed this order, considering the fact that K Surendran had sought to withdraw his election dispute petition. The court has instructed Surendran to remit Rs 42,000 towards court expenses.

With the high court granting permission to withdraw the case, obstacles in the way of holding bypoll in Manjeshwar constituency have been cleared.

K Surendran, BJP candidate, had been defeated by P B Abdul Razak, by a margin of 89 vots. Surendran had approached the high court, alleging casting of fake votes and polling of votes in the names of deceased and those living abroad. MLA, Razack, in the meantime, breathed his last.

As the election dispute case was pending, holding of bypoll for Manjeshwar assembly seat was not possible. Surendran, who in the past, had opted to continue the fight in spite of Razack's death, had recently decided to withdraw the petition as examination of witnesses has been taking too long.