Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has informed the Kerala High Court that a detailed investigation based on scientific evidence will be carried out in the bar bribery case against former finance minister K.M. Mani. The court on Wednesday adjourned the plea filed by Mr Mani against the probe.
Mr A.L. Najumul Hussan, DySP VACB, informed the court that he had taken up the investigation on August 29, 2016 and thereafter three witnesses were questioned. The Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court had asked the VACB to look into the three points.
The first observation of the court was that there was need for clearing the ambiguity regarding the alleged transaction of Rs 50 lakh, especially the date when it was given to Mr Mani, by further questioning the relevant witnesses.
Second, the court observed that the compact disc produced by Mr Biju Ramesh containing the alleged conversation held among the office-bearers of KBHA has to be analysed by experts to find out whether the same would any way benefit the investigation in this case. Third, the court emphasised the need to conduct a detailed investigation regarding the quantum of money collected by the KBHA as legal fund during March 2014 and immediately prior to that and the appropriation of the same.
The VACB submitted that a report was taken from Mr Sukesan who conducted the initial probe. The combined legal opinion states that the pursuit to find the truth by collecting all the materials relating to the allegation can be achieved only by conducting a further investigation into this case. The witnesses have disclosed that they intend to make further statements, the VACB said.
