Three League leaders chargesheeted

Kozhikode: A vigilance court here chargesheeted three IUML leaders for allegedly demanding bribe to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh for granting a no-objection certificate (NoC) to start a BEd college at Menangadi in neighbouring Wyanad District. While chargesheets were read out against N Mammootty and PV Moosa, the court on Tuesday ordered that PC Ahmed, who was absent, receive the chargesheet within a month.

The case against the three Muslim League leaders is that they had demanded the bribe from Malabar Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, Yoohanan Mar Phelexinos, for issuing the NoC. The case was taken up by the vigilance court on a petition by social activist Joemon Puthanpurakkal in January 2004. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was among those who had appeared as witnesses in the case. The Malabar Metropolitan, who was the sixth witness, had deposed before the court thrice.