Legal decision on Indian School blasted

Legal decision on Indian School blasted

JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court has been criticized for its
decision to exonerate and reinstate the former principal of the
Gandhi Memorial School, V. Ram, also known as Ram Gulumal, who
was convicted of fraud last year.

Lawyers for the Gandhi Seva Loka association, formally known
as the Bombay Merchants' Association, said that the decision
involved "an obvious error".

The association's lawyer, Amir Syamsuddin of Amir Syamsuddin
and Partners, said yesterday that the law firm had sent a letter
to the Supreme Court asking for directives to prevent any
negative effects of the decision on their client.

"We sent the letter to the Supreme Court today," Amir
Syamsuddin said.

According to Amir, the Supreme Court decision erroneously
assumed Gulumal to be an Indonesian national.

"Gulumal is an Indian national and any mistake as to
nationality is very basic to a legal decision," said Amir,
arguing that the mistake rendered the entire decision null and
void.

Amir said that the Supreme Court had said in its judgment that
it upheld Gulumal's appeal in relation to his conviction for
misappropriating school funds. This too, he said, was an obvious
mistake.

"He never appealed (in relation to misappropriation of school
funds) since he was acquitted of that charge by the Central
Jakarta District Court," Amir said.

Amir said the Supreme Court decision was disappointing and
disturbing to Indonesian citizens of Indian origin.

"On the basis of the Supreme Court's decision, Gulumal could
take over the schools and the assets, which actually belong to
the Indonesian citizens of Indian origin here," said Amir.

Last week the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of Ram
Gulumal as principal of the Gandhi Memorial School. Gulumal was
convicted last year of fraud and sentenced to a term of
imprisonment. The charges were initiated by the Gandhi Seva Loka,
which founded the school. (01)