Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday asked the state government to inform of the court on the current status of the investigation in the bar bribery case against former finance minister K.M. Mani.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A.M. Shaffique also sought the state’s stand on the petition by P.N. Sreekumaran Nampoothiri of Kottayam seeking a directive to form a Special Investigation Team excluding the present investigation officer R. Sukesan and conduct a detailed investigation into the bar bribery case.
The petitioner submitted that though Biju Ramesh had levelled allegations against certain ministers and their involvement, the investigation officer had not conducted a probe against excise minister K. Babu. Besides, Biju Ramesh had categorically stated that he had handed over the money to the minister.
The petitioner argued that Sukesan, the investigation officer had conducted the probe with a malafide intention. He in fact had been leaking out each day’s progress of the investigation against Mani to the media. Hence, a directive to form a special investigation team was needed, the petitioner argued.
According to the petitioner, Biju Ramesh who had given the bribe had not been arraigned as an accused in the case.
The Thiruvananthapu-ram Vigilance Court had ordered a further probe into the case and asked Sukeshan to lead the probe.
The court had criticised VACB chief Vinson M. Paul. Sukeshan in his factual report had mentioned that the case could be registered against K.M. Mani. Later the High Court criticised K.M. Mani which led to his resignation from the state cabinet.
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