New Delhi: The Supreme Court rejected the plea on Tuesday, seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged bar bribery deal that occurred during the UDF government's tenure in Kerala. The plea sought a CBI investigation against leaders Ramesh Chennithala, V.S. Sivakumar, K. Babu, and KM Mani's son Jose K. Mani. The bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Pankaj Mithal dismissed the plea.

Social activist P.L. Jacob had approached the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing Jacob, argued in the Supreme Court that the president of the Bar Owners' Association had revealed that in 2015, the then Excise Minister K. Babu had allegedly accepted Rs 1 crore for the renewal of bar licences and the reduction of licence fees. Bhushan pointed out that the president of the Bar Owners' Association also revealed that the then Finance Minister (KM Mani), Home Minister (Chennithala), and Health Minister (Sivakumar) had also accepted bribes.

Bhushan further argued that the president of the Bar Owners' Association had revealed that, Jose K Mani, the son of the then Finance Minister KM Mani, offered Rs 10 crore to withdraw the allegations against his father. Bhushan also expressed concerns in court that if the state vigilance conducts the investigation, the culprits might escape, given that key government figures were involved in the case. However, the Supreme Court stated that a CBI investigation could not be ordered based solely on an individual’s statement and questioned whether there was a Lok Ayukta in Kerala to investigate the matter.

The Supreme Court suggested that if the petitioner still wanted to pursue the complaint, he could approach a Magistrate's court. If the Magistrate registers the case, the petitioner could then request that the investigation be handed over to the CBI. Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta and Standing Counsel C.K. Sasi appeared on behalf of the state government. However, the court did not specifically seek their stand on the matter.

Similarly, the CBI had previously filed an affidavit stating its willingness to take over the investigation if directed by the court. However, the Supreme Court did not seek the stance of central government lawyers either. Advocate M.R. Ramesh Babu appeared for Chennithala and Babu.