Legal circles are of the view that former Kerala finance minister KM Mani may approach the Supreme Court for 'partial relief' from the lower court's stinging observations against him in the bar bribery case.
Mani, who has since resigned, is perturbed over the Kerala High Court's comment that 'Caesar's wife must be above suspicion' and that it was leaving the issue of resignation to the conscience of the accused.
The single judge had also said that the public may be excused for wondering how a state government agency can proceed in the matter while the accused was holding the charge of law department as well.
The court also wondered if it would be proper to bypass the Advocate-General and charge the public to engage prominent Supreme Court lawyers merely because a minister was involved in the case.
But sources said that Mani can approach the apex court requesting that some of these remarks may be expunged 'since he was not given a chance to defend himself in the case and explain his side.'
Though Mani was party to the case filed by the state vigilance in the High Court, no summons was issued to him, which had denied him the opportunity to present his side of the story.
'IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE'
Mani feels that irreversible damage has been done to his personal integrity and character by the observations made by the court.
Because it is in the nature of a criminal case, the issue of filing a review petition in the same High Court was out of question, the sources said.
Legal experts close to the state government are already learnt to have exchanged ideas on the matter with leading practitioners at both the High Court and the Supreme Court.
They would hold consultations with Mani before making the next move to approach the Supreme Court for relief, they added.