Court restrains Kurien from becoming RS member

KOCHI: The Ernakulam Munsiff Court on Monday restrained Congress leader PJ Kurien from claiming to be a member of the Rajya Sabha till June 24.

Munsiff P S Santhosh Kumar issued the orders on a civil suit filed by Globy George of Mulamthuruthy seeking a declaration that Prof Kurien is incompetent to be a member of the Rajya Sabha.

The court issued urgent notice to Prof Kurien returnable on June 24. According to the petitioner, Prof Kurien has to face prosecution before the judicial first class magistrate for the offences of abduction, rape and destruction of evidence.

His election or he even being projected as a candidate for a high post like Rajya Sabha member can lead to putting pressure on the investigation agencies of the state and prevent proper probe.

The petitioner argued that only those citizens of integrity and character and who was not accused of any sort of moral indiscipline alone are entitled to function as member of Rajya Sabha.