Vigilance to seek more time from HC in Bargate case

It is reliably learnt that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) will only submit before the High Court that the quick verification was just in its initial stages and it would take some more time to ascertain whether there was scope for any further detailed investigation by registering a case.

Sources point out that in case the High Court gives any direction to register a case against Finance Minister K.M.Mani, pressure will mount on him to quit the Cabinet. If the court only orders a preliminary Vigilance inquiry, then Mani could survive as already there are a couple of ministers in the present Cabinet facing more than one Vigilance inquires ordered by various courts. Though the normal duration prescribed for Vigilance inquiries was three months, most of them would drag on for years, said the sources.

Though Vigilance cases were registered against many former ministers, over the last many years, there had been no instances of corruption cases being registered against a minister while in power , Vigilance sources point out.

CPI MLA V.S.Sunilkumar who took up the matter with the High Court said that the person who gave the money had admitted that it was a case fit for registering an FIR and holding a detailed probe. "The Supreme Court Constitution bench had clearly said that an FIR should immediately be registered in such cases. Giving 45 days quick verification gives sufficient time for the accused to wipe out evidence," he said. Meanwhile, Vigilance sources said though the statements of the witnesses were not formally recorded in quick verification, in sensational cases like the present 'bargate', Vigilance officials had formally recorded the statements of those involved to avoid future risks.

Though the VACB had sought statements from about 13 people mentioned by Biju Ramesh as those who were privy to the handing over of '1 cr to K.M.Mani, some of them were now trying to evade giving statements, sources said.

Meanwhile, the LDF state committee will meet on Monday to finalise its stand on the nature of probe against Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the bar bribe issue.

The meeting will also decide on the proposed LDF agitation demanding Mr Mani’s resignation. Though the LDF was to meet on November 10, the meeting could not take place following CMP leader M.V. Raghavan’s death.

The delay in the LDF meeting had raised several eyebrows with the front leadership, especially the CPM leaders, coming under attack for adopting a ‘soft’ stand towards Mr Mani. There is still no unanimity within the front on the nature of probe against him.

While the CPM is sticking to its demand for a court- monitored SIT probe which was reiterated by Mr Pinarayi Vijayan in Kochi on Wednesday, the CPI is for a judicial probe by a sitting judge and the rest of the allies, including NCP and Janata Dal (Secular) are demanding registration of FIR against Mr Mani.

The CPM state secretary also demanded a comprehensive probe against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Excise Minister K. Babu in connection with the bargate. “The vigilance probe was not on the right track. Biju Ramesh has alleged that the Vigilance officials, while recording his statement, had asked him to stick to Mani and not to speak anything against the Chief Minister,” he said.