Kerala HC Upholds Petition Seeking Disqualification of BJP MP Suresh Gopi

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that a petition seeking the vacation of BJP MP Suresh Gopi's Lok Sabha seat is maintainable, declining to dismiss the petition at the preliminary stage. A single bench of the High Court rejected a counter-petition filed by Suresh Gopi seeking dismissal of the case, and directed that he face a full trial.

The petition was filed by CPI leader A S Binoy, who alleged that Suresh Gopi, elected from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, had sought to influence voters during the election campaign through the use of religious symbols and by appealing to religious sentiments. The petitioner submitted photographs and video evidence in support of the allegations. The court rejected Suresh Gopi's contention that the petition was not legally sustainable.

Reacting to the development, V S Sunilkumar, who had contested from the Thrissur seat against Suresh Gopi as the LDF candidate in the Lok Sabha election, welcomed the High Court's intervention. He reiterated that Suresh Gopi had conducted his campaign by exploiting religion and by distributing money and gifts to voters, and stated that all evidence substantiating the allegations had been placed before the court. Sunilkumar expressed confidence that the proceedings would yield a positive outcome.