Mohammed Faizal is an Indian politician, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) member, a Member of Parliament (MP), and a social worker. He was elected consecutively twice as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Lakshadweep. He hit the headlines in October 2023, when his Lok Sabha membership was suspended and restored for the second time in that year.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Mohammed Faizal Padippura was born on Wednesday, 28 May 1975 (age 48 years; as of 2023) in Andrott Island, Lakshadweep. His zodiac sign is Gemini. In 1997, he graduated from Sir Syed College, Taliparamba, Kerala, with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Zoology. In 2000, he completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calicut, Kerala.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family & Caste
Mohammed Faizal was born in a Muslim Scheduled Tribe (ST) family in Lakshadweep.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Pookoya Thangal Kunnamkalam, and his mother’s name is Safiyabi Padippura. He has a brother, Sayed Mohammed Noorul Ameen, who was a government teacher. In 2023, he was dismissed from his position and disqualified from holding any government position after being convicted of an attempt to murder along with Mohammed Faizal.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Rahmath Begum. She is a homemaker. Mohammed Faizal has 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. His daughters’ names are Fazna Bind Faizal, Ayisha Liyana, and Ayisha Naveeda. His son’s name is SM Quthbudheen Bakthiyar.
Religion
Mohammed Faizal follows Islam.
Address
He resides at Padippura House, Andrott Island, Lakshadweep Island-682551
Signature/Autograph
Signature of Mohammed Faizal
Career
After completing his MBA, Mohammed Faizal started working as a business advisor. Later, he joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). In 2014, he won the Lok Sabha election and became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Lakshadweep constituency. After winning the election, NCP made him the party whip (discipline enforcer). From 1 September 2014 to 13 March 2016, he served as a member of the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. He was re-elected as the MP from Lakshadweep to the Lok Sabha on 23 May 2019. From 13 September 2019 to 27 December 2020, he served as a member of the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. On 23 October 2019, he was elected as a member of the Consultative Committee in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. On 28 December 2020, he became a member of the Committee on Home Affairs. On 11 January 2023, he was disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha after he was convicted in an attempt to murder case by a sessions court in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, and was given a 10-year jail term. Mohammed Faizal filed a petition in the Kerala High Court to suspend the conviction and not get disqualified as an MP, which would result in a by-election. On 25 January 2023, the Kerala High Court suspended the conviction of Faizal and others accused in the case citing rare and exceptional circumstances until disposal of the appeal. The court observed that although it is important to decriminalise politics, it is equally important to avoid an expensive by-election for the benefit of society and said,
Decriminalisation of politics is an essential requirement of every democracy. As a constitutional court, it is the bounden duty to advance constitutional objectives, including purity in politics. However, those lofty principles cannot be the reason for denying the application of the principles of rule of law. The societal interest in averting an expensive election, that too, when the elected candidate can continue for a limited period alone if the fresh election is conducted, cannot be brushed aside by this court.”
On 29 March 2023, his membership was restored by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. In August 2023, the Supreme Court asked the Kerala High Court to reconsider the suspension of Mohammed Faizal. On 4 October 2023, the high court refused to stay his conviction resulting in the disqualification of Mohammed Faizal as an MP. On 9 October 2023, the Supreme Court ordered Mohammed Faizal to be reinstated as a member of Lok Sabha. [1]The Times Of India His Lok Sabha membership was restored on 2 November 2023.
Controversies
Brief Details of IPCs
- 1 charge related to Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means (IPC Section-324)
- 1 charge related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307)
- 1 charge related to Punishment for criminal intimidation (IPC Section-506)
- 1 charge related to Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (IPC Section-420)
- 1 charge related to Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees (IPC Section-427)
- 1 charge related to Punishment for house trespass (IPC Section-448)
- 1 charge related to Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of the offence committed in prosecution of a common object (IPC Section-149)
- 1 charge related to Punishment of criminal conspiracy (IPC Section-120B)
- 1 charge related to Punishment for Being a member of an unlawful assembly (IPC Section-143)
- 1 charge related to Punishment for Rioting (IPC Section-147)
- 1 charge related to Rioting, armed with a deadly weapon (IPC Section-148)
Convicted Under Attempt To Murder
On 11 January 2023, he was disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha after he was given a 10-year jail term in an attempt to murder case by a sessions court in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. Out of 37 people accused, only 4 were convicted. Mohammed Faizal was one of them along with his brother. The case occurred in 2009 when he, along with his brother Sayed Mohammed Noorul Ameen and some Nationalist Congress Party workers, attacked and severely injured Muhammad Salih. Muhammad Salih is the son-in-law of former Congress leader and 10-time MP from Lakshadweep, PM Sayeed. [3]NDTV
Booked Under the Disaster Management Act
In November 2021, Mohammed Faizal was booked by the police under various charges including charges that deal with public nuisance, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, and Disaster Management Act. This came after he was involved in a protest with his fellow NCP members against the price hike by the administration on public transport and essential services. [4]The Wire
Corruption Case Registered By CBI
In July 2022, a corruption case was registered by the CBI against Mohammed Faizal for alleged irregularities in the sale of tuna fish which resulted in a loss of Rs. 6 crore to the fishermen. According to the CBI, a few public servants of Lakshadweep Co-operative Marketing Federation (LCMF) and Mohammed Faizal did not follow the proper tender process and formalities when exporting tuna fish to SRT General Merchants, a Sri Lanka-based company, where his nephew, Abdul Razik works. This resulted in a heavy loss to LCMF. In an interview, Mohammed Faizal denied the allegations. Claiming that he had given the documents to the CBI that they wanted but there hasn’t been any report on the recovery, he said,
The CBI sought some documents which have been provided. They even searched my home. But they have given a nil report on recovery. Let’s see what further action they take. We will see from there.” [5]The Indian Express
Bike Collection
He owns a Hero Honda Hunk.
Car Collection
He owns a Renault Duster.
Salary/Income
In 2022, Mohammed Faizal’s salary as a member of the parliament was around Rs. 2 lacs + other allowances. [6]Zee News In the financial year 2017-2018, his income was estimated to be Rs. 6,00,000. [7]MyNeta
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Cash: Rs. 25,000
- Deposits in Banks, Financial Institutions, and Non-Banking Financial Companies: Rs. 48,346
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 6,90,000
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2019. It excludes the assets owned by his wife. [8]MyNeta
Net Worth
Mohammed Faizal’s net worth for the year 2019 was estimated to be Rs. 7,63,346. It excludes the net worth of his wife. [9]MyNeta
Facts/Trivia
- In 1999, he organised ASCEND 99, a South India Business School Management meet at the campus of Calicut University. The meet comprised the top 10 business schools in South India.
- In 1996, he was elected as the Fine Arts Secretary of the College Union of Sir Syed College, Thaliparambu, Kannur, Kerala.
- In 2021, Mohammed Faizal led a series of protests against the administrator of Lakshadweep, Praful Khoda Patel. In an interview, he claimed that Praful Patel was implementing anti-people rules and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should send a new administrator, and said,
Praful Khoda Patel is implementing all the anti-people rules and regulations. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should listen to the outcry of the local people and send in a new Administrator. The Central government should recall this administrator. This is the demand of the people.” [10]Hindustan Times
Mohammed Faizal protesting against Praful Patel
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He enjoys travelling and has visited countries such as Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and U.A.E.
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He is interested in developing Lakshadweep as one of the world’s best tourist destinations.
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To provide higher education, he got a seat in different undergraduate courses reserved for Lakshadweep students in the colleges that were affiliated with 3 Kerala universities which included the University of Calicut, the University of Kerala, and the Mahatma Gandhi University.
- He has a keen interest in reading and listening to music.
- He owns 1/4th of shares of a Motor Sailing Vessel, MSV Jeeli.
