Revision Plea Filed Against Vigilance Order

In another setback to Kerala’s Congress-led United Democratic Front government, the high court on Friday favoured a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial bar bribery case involving former finance minister K M Mani.

The court also posed a question on whether justice can be meted out if investigation is conducted by the Vigilance Department which is controlled by the state government.

The Special Vigilance Court, in the state capital, had last month quashed the clean chit given by the vigilance department to Mani and asked for a further probe.

The court’s above stand was opposed by government advocate general K P Dandapani.

The High Court called for all records of the case from the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram. The complaint against the former Minister was politically motivated.

During the consideration of the case, the High Court cautioned that if the authorities concerned make any comments on the merits of the case, they will be held responsible.

The court observation came while considering a plea against the Vigilance Court order that sought a re-probe into the case. Justice Sudheendran asked if it was not better to hand over the case to the CBI.

The court has issued notices to Mani and others concerned in the petition filed by Sunny Mathew, a lawyer based in Thodupuzha.

Since then the Left opposition was up in arms and was constantly demanding the resignation of Mani and also State Excise Minister K. Babu, who Ramesh later said, was also given money to reduce the annual bar license fees.