Ramesh raised allegations against finance minister K.M. Mani
Finance Minister K.M. Mani. (Photo: DC/File)
Thiruvananthapuram: Commencing the quick verification into the allegations that finance minister K.M. Mani had accepted bribe from bar owners, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on Tuesday summoned Kerala Bar Hotel Association working president Biju Ramesh. He is likely to appear before it only by Friday after a meeting of the association scheduled to be held in Kochi on Thursday.
Vigilance director Vinson M. Paul has directed VACB southern-range SP M. Rajamohan to conduct the quick verification. VACB southern-range DySP Suresh Kumar will conduct the probe with the assistance of circle inspectors Shainu Thomas and Gopakumar. The team has been directed to complete the quick verification within 30 days.
The Vigilance director also handed over to the investigation officers the copy of the petition given by Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan seeking a probe into the allegation of Biju Ramesh that Mr Mani had demanded Rs 5 crore for opening closed bars and even accepted Rs 1crore.
Though the VACB wanted Biju Ramesh to appear on Wednesday, he had cited personal inconveniences, said sources.
VACB sources said that if sufficient prima facie evidence for corruption could be obtained during the quick verification, the Vigilance director could even order a Vigilance investigation by registering a case without obtaining government permission. However, most often the Vigilance directors had taken such steps only with informal consent from the government.
In case sufficient evidence could not be obtained in the quick verification, the VACB could seek government sanction for a Vigilance inquiry. In that case, an FIR needs to be registered only after obtaining sufficient evidence of corruption. If the allegations are found to be false the VACB could wind up further steps.
Though the timeframes ranging from 3 to 12 months are prescribed for Vigilance probes, it could be further extended with permission from the govt. According to available statistics, the VACB ordered 1,040 quick verifications during 2009--2013. The number of quick verifications completed during that period was 867.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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