The Kerala High Court has issued a notice to Pala MLA Mani C. Kappan in connection with a petition seeking his disqualification as an elected representative.
The petition was filed by Mumbai‑based businessman Dinesh Menon, who is also the complainant in the four cheque‑bouncing cases in which Mr. Kappan was convicted on September 1.
The Additional Metropolitan Magistrate in Borivali, Mumbai, sentenced Kappan to a total of three and a half years’ imprisonment, a fine exceeding ₹3.25 crore, and additional imprisonment if the fine is not paid. This follows his earlier conviction for one year in jail in the same cheque‑bouncing cases.
Menon has asked the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly to declare the Pala seat vacant as of September 1 and the Election Commission of India to initiate a by‑election, and to vacate the seat. The petition seeks to unseat him from the Pala Assembly seat. The case will be heard again on September 22.
