KOCHI: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V.M. Sudheeran and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy have ruled out any political motive behind the vigilance raids against the PWD secretary T.O. Sooraj. “We need not attribute political motives in connection with corruption cases”, Sudheeran said.
The action against Sooraj is a welcome step, he said, and added that UDF government will not be swayed by political considerations while taking action against
the corrupt.
“The government will act according to the relevant procedure” he added.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that law will take its course in the case against Sooraj. Mr. Chandy refused to comment on the suspension of Sooraj from the service. The minister concerned will act on such issues, he added.
The Indian Union Muslim League leader and state industries minister PK Kunhalikutty has stated that the IUML will not interfere in connection with Sooraj case. The IUML has nothing to do with Sooraj issue, he said.
Kunhalikutty played down reports about differences between IUML and Congress on this issue and said that action against the official was part of the routine procedure in such cases.
On PWD minister Ibrahim Kunju’s complaint that he should have been informed about the raids, Kunhalikutty said that what the minister meant was it would have been better if he was kept informed.
BJP leader P.S. Sreedharan Pillai meanwhile called for a probe by central government agency in the case connected with the amassment of wealth by Sooraj. Pillai also called for judicial probe into corruption charges in the public works department.
Meanwhile Sooraj threatens to spill beans
T.O. Sooraj, PWD secretary, suspended from service following Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau raids unearthing likely evidences of widespread corruption against him, has threatened to reveal the secrets of many people in high places involved malpractices. “I will respond at the appropriate time”, he told reporters in Kochi on Saturday.
The tainted official however declined to reveal any names for the time being. Alleging that he is being subjected to a trial by media, Sooraj said “I am in the government services for the past 35 years.
I know the real stories behind those pretending as great persons”, he said. Maintaining that he was innocent, Sooraj said that if found guilty he is ready to undergo any punishment.
In a series raids conducted by VACB officials in the residences of Sooraj in Kochi and Thiruvanthapuram on Thursday had unearthed several documents pointing towards amassing huge wealth by the official. On the basis of recommendation of the VACB the government had placed him under suspension on Saturday.
