THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enquiry Commissioner and Special Court (Vigilance) here has directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to produce all documents related to the bar bribery case against finance minister K M Mani.
Considering a ‘refer report’ filed by the VACB, the court also issued notices to Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, who is the original complainant, and bar owner Biju Ramesh, the key-witness. The case was posted to August 7.
The special court judge John K Illikkadan directed the VACB to produce the entire documents, including the note of VACB director against filing charge-sheet, quick verification report, case diary and factual report prepared by the investigating officer.
Mr Achuthanandan and Mr Ramesh had already stated that they would object to the closure of the case. Hence they are likely to file their objections before the court on August 7.
Legal experts pointed out that it would not be a cakewalk for Mr Mani as the refer report filed by the VACB would come under a legal scrutiny, which could even extend to upper courts.
VACB special investigation unit-I SP R Sukesan, who led the investigation, had even reportedly suggested that there was scope to chargesheet Mr Mani, which was turned down by Vigilance legal advisor C C Augustine and Vigilance director Vinson M Paul. Hence a legal scrutiny assumes much significance.
Meanwhile, a private petition seeking further investigation into the case was also filed in the court on Thursday.
The petitioner, Neyyattinkara P Nagaraj, maintained that the VACB did not conduct a fair probe due to the influence from above.
No efforts were made to launch a search for the bribe allegedly received by the minister or seize incriminating evidences.
A custodial interrogation of the suspect was not carried out or his wealth assessed, the petitioner said.
