Withdrawal of case against MLAs for vandalism is unfortunate: M T Thomas

Deccan Chronicle: National: Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

As per an RTI reply, they had destroyed furniture and electronic equipment worth Rs 220, 293.

The withdrawal of the criminal case pending against legislators for vandalism in the Assembly was most unfortunate. As per an RTI reply, they had destroyed furniture and electronic equipment worth Rs 220, 293. Though the criminal case was filed under section 3(1) of the PDPP act, the accused persons including minister K. T. Jaleel had not appeared before the court. Even for granting bail in such a case, as per a 2011 judgment of Justice K. T. Sankaran, the value of the same or even more should be directed to be deposited in the court. Otherwise, the loss sustained to the state would not be realised at all.

"Courts cannot be mute spectators to the wanton destruction of public property. Nobody should be allowed to destroy public property and claim the success of the strikes on the basis of the quantum of loss sustained to the State," it says. "It is easy to destroy, but it is not so easy to make."  The govt cannot act against the welfare of the state by writing off the amount involved, as the loss incurred was done deliberately.  Under the above circumstances, steps may be taken to at least recover the losses from the accused persons before letting them off.