Thiruvananthapuram: In a major setback to former Ernakulam District Collector M G Rajamanickam, the state government has approved a Vigilance probe against him over irregularity in land acquisition for Kochi Metro Rail project from Seematti Textiles.

A Kalamssery native had filed a complaint citing Rajamanickam facilitated additional benefits to Seematti Textiles. Rajamanickam entered a contract with Seematti Textiles on compensation for the land for double the market value estimated by the government, the complaint said.

Rajamanickam is currently the Managing Director of Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd.