Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor Resigns From The Post Of President Of Kerala HC Advocates' Association
The President of Kerala High Court Advocates Association Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor resigned from that post after the High Court refused to stay the FIR registered against him for allegedly collecting money to bribe the Judges of the Court.
As per the bye-laws of the Association, the Vice-President who is senior in standing shall have all the powers of the President in the absence of the President.
Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor has been accused of taking money from his clients under the guise of settling cases allegedly by bribing judges and an FIR was registered under Section 420 of the IPC and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by the Ernakulam Central Police Station.
In a letter written to the Secretary of the KHCAA, Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor has said “…my conscience and propriety demands that it would only be fair and appropriate to demit the office of the President of this August body. On the personal front, I firmly believe that my resignation would certainly help to spare the members of the Bar from being vexed and confronted with any unpleasant situation arising out of the whole scandal.”
Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor has also said that ever since he declared his candidature for the post of President of the Association, he was viciously targeted by some lawyers.
He further added that false stories were spread against him with the oblique motive of picturizing him as a corrupt and a shady man.
He has claimed that the lawyers who raised these allegations have a deep rooted enmity against him that stems from personal vendetta and professional envy.
“A rumour was spread across the corridors of this Hon’ble Court that I have allegedly taken money from a client on the pretext of gratifying one of the Hon’ble sitting Judge of this Hon’ble Court. This literally devasted me and I was dragged into this sort of a controversy for reasons best known to its perpetrators.”, the letter by Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor read.
"I have always attached high respect and value to this noble profession which has made me what I am today. I have always stood up for what is just. I have never diluted or disregarded the majesty of law and the nobility of this profession and our esteemed institution.", he added.
He has expressed that he strongly believes that the truth will come out and that the hollowness of the allegations levelled against him will be exposed.
On February 6, the Kerala High Court had refused to stay further proceedings against him in the case. The single bench said the allegation that money was collected in the name of judges was a serious one and the investigation was in its primary stage.
The police had on February 1 registered a case against Kidangoor under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code following a complaint.
Click here to read/download letter
