THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The probe against former Vigilance director Shanker Reddy for allegedly sabotaging the bar bribery case may also embarrass former director Vinson Paul, two eminent Supreme Court lawyers and two other officials. A Vigilance special court here recently ordered the probe against Shanker Reddy on the basis of a petition alleging that he sabotaged the bar bribery case by directing SP R. Sukesan to refer the case against former finance minister K.M. Mani.
However, sources pointed out that prior to Mr. Reddy, Mr. Vinson Paul, Vigilance ADGP Sheik Darvesh Sahib and present legal advisor C.C. Agustine had also taken a view that the case may be referred. Moreover, Mr. Vinson Paul had even obtained legal opinion from Supreme Court lawyers Mohan Parasaran and Nageshwar Rao. They were also learnt to have opined that evidence was insufficient to chargesheet Mani. "In case Mr. Reddy is found to be at fault for referring the case, the others who made a similar conclusion could also come under the scanner," sources said.
It may be recalled that Mr. Reddy had already raised suspicions over the intentions of the petitioner Paichira Navaz in lodging petitions against him and his nexus with Vigilance top officials. Mr. Reddy had also alleged that Vigilance director Jacob Thomas was prejudiced against him as he (Reddy) had earlier filed a report to the Lok Ayukta stating that Mr. Jacob violated service rules by going for employment at TKM Institute of Management and obtaining Rs. 8.47 lakh in 2009 without government sanction.
