Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Aug 21: Retired judge, M K Premalata, has decided to recuse herself from the judicial commission formed by the state government into the disturbances and police firing that took place in the town last year. These incidents occurred during a felicitation function organized by Muslim Leage on September 15 last year near the new bus stand in the town.

In a written communication to the state High Court, Premalata informed that she had decided to leave her post in the commission. The judge in question had retired from judicial service on July 31 this year. It is said that she decided to quit, as proper basic facilities for holding inquiry were not provided to the commission.

It may be recalled that during the disturbance that broke out during the above programme, several merchant establishments and prayer centres had been damaged, and a few had suffered injuries. In the firing by the then district superintendent of police, Ramadas Pottan, a Muslim League activist, Mohammed Shafiq (22) from Chervattur, had lost his life.

Initially, the investigation was conducted by the local police department, and later, it was transferred to the crime branch.  In April this year, succumbing to demands from various quarters, the state government had formed a commission of inquiry with the then district judge, M K Premalata, as its head. With the decision of Premalata to leave the post, the judicial inquiry is sure to suffer. The government is now compelled to hunt for a new person to head the commission.