Governor Arif Mohammed Khan | Photo: PTI
Thiruvananthapuram: The state government will seek governor’s permission to initiate vigilance probe against Congress leaders including opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala over the bar bribery case. Businessman Biju Ramesh has raised the bribery allegations against the Congress leaders.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Chennithala has submitted a memorandum before the governor claiming that the bar bribery allegations are baseless. He noted that the allegations were probed and found baseless. Hence, the governor will make a decision after examining the arguments of both parties.
Biju Ramesh alleged that he handed over money collected from bar owners to Ramesh Chennithala, former ministers K Babu and VS Sivakumar. Biju Ramesh has levelled fresh allegation against the congress leaders after Kerala Congress joined LDF. He also alleged that Jose K Mani offered money to him for dismissing the bribery allegations against KM Mani.
In view of this, the government is considering initiate vigilance probe against Congress leaders including Chennithala. As per the amendment made to the central government act, the government should seek the permission of the governor to carry out vigilance probe against public representatives.
Earlier, only the prosecution was asked to seek the governor’s permission. In view of the government’s move to approach the governor over the vigilance probe, Chennithala also filed a request in advance.
Biju Ramesh has already given his statement regarding the allegations. Meanwhile, the probe team identified tampering of the tape which collected as evidence in the case. Hence, this tape will not be considered as evidence in the case.
Chennithala requested the governor to reject government’s plea seeking permission for vigilance probe as the case is still under consideration of the court.
At the same time, the government will seek the permission of the governor after examining the legitimacy of the probe. A final decision regarding this will be taken once the governor, who is under COVID treatment, returns.
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