Kerala Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel, who was found guilty of nepotism and abuse of power, resigned from his post on Tuesday. Lokayukta, an anti-corruption ombudsman, had found the minister guilty of “allegations of abuse of power, favouritism, nepotism and violation of oath of office,” reports news agency ANI.

The Kerala Lokayukta had passed the verdict on Friday after a complaint was made against Jaleel that he had illegally appointed his second cousin as general manager of the Kerala State Minorities Finance Development Corporation.

The Muslim Youth League had on November 2, 2018 alleged that Adeeb K T, a cousin of Jaleel, was appointed general manager in the Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation, flouting rules.

The minister had moved the Kerala High Court on Monday, challenging the Lokayukta report. In his plea, Jaleel alleged that the report was prepared without conducting any preliminary enquiry or regular investigation.

“It is submitted that the findings arrived at is perverse and not based on any materials. Further, the Lokayukta has not followed any procedure mandated under law to arrive at a finding”, he said in his plea.

Jaleel had earlier alleged that the Muslim League was after him since 2006 when he won the Assembly seat from Kuttipuram constituency as an independent, with LDF support.