Kerala Higher Education Minister K T Jaleel resigned following the controversies regarding the nepotism case. He handed over the resignation letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.The minister resigned while the High Court was considering the petition filed against the Lokayukta order that he is not eligible to continue in the minister post. Jaleel stated in the resignation letter that he is resigning upholding ethical values and the Lokayukta verdict was against him.
A division bench of the Kerala Lok Ayukta had on Friday submitted a report to the Chief Minister, saying Jaleel had abused his position as a public servant to obtain a favour for his relative, and should not continue as a minister. The bench had held that the charge of abuse of power, favouritism and nepotism against the minister was proved. The Lok Ayukta verdict was on a complaint filed by a Muslim Youth League leader in November 2018, alleging that K.T. Adeeb, a cousin of Jaleel,was appointed as general manager of the Kerala State Minority Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC) in 2018, flouting rules. Adeeb was the manager of a private bank when the appointment was made. K T Jaleel is the second minister in Pinarayi Vijayan-led government to submit resignation.
