Thiruvananthapuram: A Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau team led by Vigilance director Jacob Thomas carried out a surprise check at Travancore Titanium Produts (TTP) here on Friday in connection with the alleged corruption in installing a hazardous waste treatment plant costing Rs 256 crore. The case assumed significance as former chief minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and former PWD minister V.K. Ibrahim Kunju faced allegations in the scam, apart from six officials already arraigned.
Mr. Thomas said that certain crucial pieces of evidence regarding the alleged corruption were received during the raids. Irregularities in awarding tenders to certain specific firms were also noticed during the verification. Some other public sector undertaking were also under the scanner of the Vigilance. The team checked various files in connection with the deal and also inspected the waste treatment plant and materials like ilmenite that were remaining unsuitable for years.
Certain materials that were imported from countries like Finland at high costs were unused, said Vigilance sources. The VACB had filed chargesheet against five former officials of TTP in connection with the case in January 2015. TTP former managing director Eapen Joseph, former executive director R.K. Bhaskaran, former chief marketing manager Santosh Kumar, former chief commercial managers Thomas Mathew and Gopakumaran Nair were the arraigned.
