Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) probing the alleged corruption in the construction of the Palarivattom flyover has sought a probe agai-nst former PWD minister Ibrahim Kunju.
It submitted a letter to the government seeking its permission to probe the conspiracy involving the former minister.
The VACB mentioned this in an affidavit submitted to the High Court opposing the bail petitions of three persons arrested in connection with the case. Prior sanction of the government is required to conduct a probe under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to the Vigilance, releasing Rs 8 crore as advance to the company that bagged the contract for the flyover was against the rules. The former minister’s role in this has to be ascertained. The VACB request is pending before the government.
The Vigilance in an earlier affidavit had stated that Kunju had mysterious interests in sanctioning the advance payment. Former PWD secretary T.O. Sooraj, arrested on August 30, had alleged that he had issued the order to make the payment on the recommendation of the then minister. Kunju has been maintaining that making advance payment to contractors is a routine practice and that nothing illegal or irregular was involved in the matter.
