Judge bid to put pressure on HC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Beleaguered Government Chief Whip P C George on Monday alleged that the August 8 order issued by Vigilance Judge P K Haneefa was targeted to put pressure on the High Court. Addressing a press conference in the wake of an Opposition demand that he resign, George said Haneefa did not have any right to issue the order, which sought further investigation into Oommen Chandy’s role in the palmolein import case. In fact, it went against the norms and rulings of the Supreme Court and the High Court. He also criticised the summons slapped on him by the judge. George also said there was no need for him to resign. The allegations levelled against him by the Opposition were baseless and part of a conspiracy to mislead the public. Although he had written the complaint  about Haneefa to the President in his official letterhead, George said he could not do otherwise as he had to properly identify himself.