Kerala Finance Minister booked in bar bribe scam
12 Dec 2014 1:22 AM GMT
In a major embarrassment to the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala, state Finance Minister KM Mani was on Thursday booked by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in the bar bribe scam. According to VACB sources, the case against Mani, who is Kerala Congress(M) supremo, was registered on the basis of statements given by some of those questioned by investigators as part of a preliminary inquiry into the allegation that he had taken a hefty sum as bribe from bar owners for decisions favourable to them.
As the next step, a special investigation team would be constituted by the VACB for a detailed investigation in the case which pertains to the allegation levelled by Biju Ramesh, working president of Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association, about 2 months back. The LDF leaders demanded resignation of Mani, who is away in New Delhi to attend a meeting of state Finance Ministers convened by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. But the second rung leaders of his party put up a brave face and said there was no need for him to quit simply because a case had been registered.
The scam rattled the Oommen Chandy Government with the LDF opposition latching on it to attack the ministry. Under pressure, the Government then ordered a “quick verification” to ascertain whether there was sufficient ground to go in for a full-fledged probe.
As the next step, a special investigation team would be constituted by the VACB for a detailed investigation in the case which pertains to the allegation levelled by Biju Ramesh, working president of Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association, about 2 months back. The LDF leaders demanded resignation of Mani, who is away in New Delhi to attend a meeting of state Finance Ministers convened by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. But the second rung leaders of his party put up a brave face and said there was no need for him to quit simply because a case had been registered.
The scam rattled the Oommen Chandy Government with the LDF opposition latching on it to attack the ministry. Under pressure, the Government then ordered a “quick verification” to ascertain whether there was sufficient ground to go in for a full-fledged probe.
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