Kochi: ‘Not satisfactory’, says superintendent of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) R Sukesan in the factual report he had submitted before the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court in the bar bribery case on Finance Minister K Mani’s reputation.
Mr Sukesan had in his report to the VACB director recommended the prosecution of the minister on two instances of bribery. The recommendation, along with the director’s decision not to proceed against Mr Mani was presented to the vigilance court.
Interestingly, vigilance judge John J Illikkadan who rejected VACB director Vinson M Paul made a mention of Mr Sukesan’s reference on the reputation in the order directing further probe in the case.
Senior advocate in Kerala High Court K Ramakumar said it is a usual practice for the investigating officer to mention the reputation of an accused while filing reports before the courts.
“Its upto the court to take a decision on it.” Advocate Santhosh Kumar, who appeared for BJP leader V Muraleedharan in the vigilance court said Mr Sukesan’s remarks had legal relevance.
