Notice asked Biju Ramesh to tender an unconditional apology
Finance Minister KM Mani. (Photo: DC/File)
Kochi: Finance Minister K.M. Mani has served a legal notice on Mr Biju Ramesh for raising baseless allegations to defame him and sought Rs 10 crore as compensation.
The notice asked Mr Biju Ramesh to tender an unconditional apology after withdrawing the allegations levelled against the minister within seven days.
Mr Mani served the notice through Mr S. Sreekumar, senior advocate in the Kerala High Court, on Wednesday.
It asked Mr Biju Ramesh to convene a news conference and withdraw the allegations unconditionally and tender an apology seven days after the receipt of the notice. If he refuses to oblige, civil and criminal procedures would be initiated, the notice said.
All allegations levelled by Mr Biju Ramesh, the state working president of Kerala Bar Hotels Association, are baseless, the notice said.
It highlighted the factual details in connection with the liquor policy of the government and measures taken by Mr Mani as law minister in this regard to refute the charges made by Mr Biju Ramesh.
Mr Ramesh had alleged that Mr Mani had demanded Rs 5 crore as bribe for facilitating the reopening of 418 bars closed down citing lack of quality and hygiene. Out of this, Rs 1 crore was paid to him in three instalments by members of the association. Currently, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is conducting a preliminary probe into the allegations.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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