New Delhi: Kerala has approached the Center seeking information on Dutch company IHC Beaver in the dredger scam case against former DGP Jacob Thomas. A letter rogatory was handed over to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard.

The information about the handing over of the same was revealed in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by DYSP K Prashnath, an investigating officer with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. He also informed the Supreme Court that a response from the Ministry of Home Affairs is awaited.

The Vigilance is planning to interrogate officials of IHC Beaver as well. But Kerala has not yet received any notification in this regard from the Union Home Ministry. Hence, Standing Counsel Harshad Hameed filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking additional time of three months to complete the ongoing investigation against Jacob Thomas. The State Government has also cited the Lok Sabha elections as a reason for seeking more time to complete the probe.

The Supreme Court had earlier expressed its displeasure over the slow pace of the investigation into the dredger corruption case. The State government had forwarded the status report to the Supreme Court regarding the ongoing investigation against Jacob Thomas. The investigation status report was handed over in a sealed envelope. The Supreme Court criticised the delay in the investigation after opening the sealed report.

Jacob Thomas told the Supreme Court that despite three years, seven months and 19 days of investigation against him, the Vigilance could not find any evidence. Jacob Thomas, in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court through lawyer A Karthik, requested that no more time be given to complete the investigation.