VACB: Babu’s statements contradictory
KOCHI: The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) probing the wealth amassment case against K Babu on Friday detected contradictions between his statements and the information gathered during the probe.
The former minister was interrogated at the office of the VACB at Pullepady here for around three hours. According to VACB officials, the investigation team handed over a questionnaire comprising more than 70 questions to Babu, based on information gathered during the initial probe.
It was found that the answers given orally by Babu contradicted with transactions recorded in his bank accounts and his earlier statements on the money spent on the marriage of his two daughters. VACB officials said Babu in his statement claimed to have gifted 100 sovereigns of gold to his elder daughter and 60 sovereigns to his younger daughter. The investigation had revealed that Babu had gifted more than 200 sovereigns of gold to his younger daughter, from whose bank locker 237 sovereigns were recovered.
“Some of Babu’s answers lacked clarity. Based on his statement, we will carry out further probe and interrogate him further,” said a VACB official.
The former minister also maintained that he did not have any financial deals with P S Baburam, a real estate agent and second accused in the case. When the officials showed Baburam’s call detail record revealing the 100-odd calls between the duo, he said he did not remember such telephonic conversation. Babu denied owning properties in TN and Karnataka.