Kerala High Court on land grab scam: It's better that minister Thomas Chandy steps down

Dismissing Thomas Chandy's writ petition challenging the government over a land grab scam, the Kerala High Court today said it's better that the state's Transport Minister steps down from his post.

"It's better that the minister steps down," the Kerala High Court said. "It would be appropriate for Thomas Chandy to fight this issue legally as a common citizen."

Chandy is facing allegations of large-scale violation of the Kerala Land Conservation Act and Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act by a tourist resort run by Water World Tourism company at Alappuzha, in which he is a board member.

Chandy had also allegedly encroached on the backwaters to construct a parking space for the resort, according to the collector's report.

VIJAYAN PROMISES ACTION

Responding to the court's remarks, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he will take necessary action after studying the High Court observations.

Chandy belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is a constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala. The NCP leadership will also meet to decide on Chandy's fate.

Chandy had become a minister only eight months ago, following the resignation of his party colleague, AK Saseendran, from the state cabinet over the issue of an alleged sleaze talk with a woman.

In a meeting convened by the ruling Left Democratic Front in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, Vijayan was asked to take a final call on the fate of Minister Thomas Chandy.

WATCH VIDEO | It's better that Thomas Chandy steps down, Kerala High Court said on land grab scam