Bar bribery scam: HC seeks report on action taken on report against minister K Babu

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to inform it about the action taken on the quick verification report against Excise Minister K Babu in the bar bribery case submitted six months ago.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A M Shaffique, asked government to file an affidavit explaining the action taken after submission of the report.

The bench also asked the government to specify what action was being taken by the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on the quick verification report and whether any report had been filed before the Vigilance Court in this regard.

Giving the directives during the hearing on petitions filed by CPI MLA V S Sunil Kumar and one PNS Namboodiri, the court wanted the government to explain within a week all steps taken on the quick verification report.

Responding to the court's poser, state Advocate General K P Dandapani said that the delay was on account of pendency of various cases on the same issue before different courts. The bench posted the matter to January 20 for further hearing.

Kerala Hotel and Bar Association Working President Biju Ramesh had alleged that Rs 10 crore was given to Excise Minister Babu for renewal of licences of liquor bars.

It was based on the charge by Ramesh that the Vigilance had filed a case against then Finance Minister K M Mani who quit following adverse remarks by the high court against him in the matter.