Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala’s statement that a probe was held against him in the bar bribery scam, has proven to be false. Chennithala had stated that investigation was conducted against him based on the confidential statement recorded by hotelier Biju Ramesh.
However, the confidential statement doesn’t mention Chennithala’s name. Mathrubhumi News has obtained a copy of the document.
According to the document, Biju Ramesh has named KM Mani, VS Sivakumar and K Babu. Biju alleged that he paid these three persons.
The Vigilance probe was based on Biju’s statement. As Chennithala was not named in the statement, Vigilance probe against him was unlikely.
Biju, the other day, claimed that he deliberately avoided naming Chennithala in his statement after the latter and his wife phoned and requested for the same.
Based on Biju’s fresh revelations, the state government has permitted Vigilance to hold a probe against Chennithala. As the Opposition Leader's post is of cabinet rank, the probe agency approached the Governor for proceeding with the probe.
Meanwhile, Chennithala wrote a letter to Governor stating a probe was already conducted against him on the matter and requested not to give permission to Vigilance.