KOTTAYAM: According to Adv C P Udayabhanu, the Thodupuzha court’s order doesn’t make any impact as Mani became minister when the case was going on.
“Mani tried to avail of a statutory remedy and the court rejected it, which doesn’t mean that he is actually involved in the case. The court has only asked him to face the trial,” he said.
At the same time, former director general of prosecution (DGP), T Asif Ali, who appeared in the High Court, while Mani approached the court with a petition seeking to quash the FIR in the case, said that Mani’s revelation in the case was incriminatory.
“Mani had approached the High Court and Supreme Court seeking dismissal of the case and FIR in the Anchery Baby murder case. He had appointed expensive lawyers as well. However, his demand was dismissed by all the courts.
How can he claim that charges against him were groundless, even before the commencement of the trial?” he asked.The CPI’s rift with CPM in Idukki are likely to make the situation adverse for Mani.