The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Kerala High Court’s order that had refused to suspend the conviction of Lakshadweep politician Mohammed Faizal Padippura in an attempt to murder case. The apex court also granted him permission to continue his membership as a parliamentarian.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Sanjay Karol issued notice to the respondents concerned regarding Mohammed Faizal’s plea. On 22 August, the Supreme Court had remanded the matter to the High Court, instructing it to reconsider Faizal’s plea with the clarification that the benefit of the suspension of conviction order would continue for Faizal until the High Court decides on it again.
Consequently, the Supreme Court has allowed Mohammed Faizal to continue serving as a Member of Parliament from Lakshadweep. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of Parliament Mohammed Faizal had moved the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea seeking the suspension of his conviction in an attempt to murder case. The Kerala High Court dismissed his plea on 3 October, leading Faizal to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court.
As a result of the Kerala High Court’s order, Mohammed Faizal had been disqualified from the Lok Sabha due to his conviction in the attempt to murder case. This marked the second time his Lok Sabha membership had been disqualified. Earlier in January of the same year, he had faced disqualification over a conviction in a criminal case along with four others for an attempt to murder.
However, his disqualification was revoked in March when the Kerala High Court stayed his conviction in the criminal case. The Supreme Court had subsequently referred the matter back to the High Court for re-evaluation.
Previously, the Kavaratti Sessions Court had convicted Mohammed Faizal and three others for their involvement in an attack that grievously injured an individual named Salih.
The altercation had stemmed from a disagreement over the construction of a shed. Salih had to be flown to Kerala, where he remained hospitalized for several months.