Court says team yet to get proof of bribe charge
K. M. Mani.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even while raising doubts over the fairness of the Vigilance procedures in the bar bribery case against Finance Minister K.M. Mani, the Vigilance special court here has pointed out that the investigation team did not get any statements regarding Mr. Mani demanding bribe or accepting it.
Continuing the arguments on a set of petitions for further probe into the bar bribery case, the prosecution admitted before the court that there were lapses in sending some crucial documents pertaining to the case to private lawyers for seeking legal opinion by Vigilance director Vinson M. Paul.
The prosecution also said that investigation officer R. Sukesan's performance was not satisfactory as he recommended to prosecute the accused even though there was no sufficient evidence for demand or acceptance of bribe .
Expressing surprise over the prosecution itself raising doubts over the performance of the investigation officer, Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) John K. Illikadan observed that the Vigilance director did not have the right to alter the finding of an investigation officer, but could only entrust the probe to another officer or order further probe.
The court pointed out that even bar owner Biju Ramesh had not given any statement that Mr Mani directly asked for bribe. For him also it was a hearsay only, the court observed.
The court also declined a request of the prosecution to bar the media from reporting the court proceeding in the case.
Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan, bar owner Biju Ramesh, LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan and CPI leader V.S. Sunilkumar had filed petitions demanding further probe into the bar bribery case. They alleged that investigation officer R. Sukesan was forced to alter the final report by Vigilance director Vinson M. Paul.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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