THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance special court here on Friday ordered the registration of a case against IAS officer T.O. Sooraj and four others in connection with the alleged irregularities in the appointments at Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO). Mr. Sooraj already is facing another case of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. The case is pending charge-sheet as the centre's nod for prosecution is still awaited.
The fresh allegation against Mr. Sooraj pertained to illegal appointments at SIDCO while he was serving as industry director. SIDCO former managing director Saji Basheer, additional director of industries P.C. Kasim and additional secretary P.A. Ishak are the others arraigned in the case. The Vigilance special investigation unit -I led by SP R. Sukesan, which conducted a quick verification into the allegation, registered a case against Mr Saji Basheer and Mr Kasim last week.
However, the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Court (Vigilance), directed that Mr Sooraj and Mr Ishak should also be arraigned in the case. The allegation pertained to corruption in the appointment of managers at SIDCO. As many as 23 persons were recruited as managers at SIDCO even as there were vacancies for only five managers. Mr. Sooraj, who was earlier placed under suspension in connection with the illegal wealth case, is now serving as parliamentary affairs secretary.
