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)