Vigilance questions former Excise Minister K Babu
KOCHI: Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) today questioned former state Excise Minister K Babu in connection with a disproportionate assets case against him. VACB sleuths questioned Babu for three hours after he was summoned to its office here this morning, sources said.
The officials had questioned Babu early this week in connection with another case related to issuing of bar licenses to hotels during his stint as Excise Minister in the previous UDF government in the state. Emerging from the VACB office following the interrogation, Babu claimed that he has no business link with one Baburam, his alleged 'benami' in the real estate business.
VACB had registered a case against Babu and his alleged benamis Baburam and Mohanan after raids at their residences in connection with the disproportionate assets case. According to an FIR filed before the Court of Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Muvattupuzha, VACB Special Cell submitted that Babu, "who hails from a poor family, abused his power as a Minister to accumulate wealth."
"He had illegal connections with real estate mafia, business groups and 'benamis' in Ernakulam district and outside Kerala," it alleged. Babu, a senior Congress leader, however, had rejected the allegations and challenged the agency to prove the charges against him. "It is an act of vengeance," he had said. Reiterating his stand, Babu today said, "I have no business link with Baburam."