KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday criticised the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) for adopting a contradictory stance on the bar bribery case involving former Finance Minister K M Mani.
The court asked how the VACB changed its stance after the government changed and new investigation officers took charge.
Considering a petition filed by Mani, challenging a T’Puram Vigilance Court order granting permission to the VACB to conduct further probe into the case, the court directed the agency to file a report on the matter.
The Vigilance Court had granted permission for further probe based on a petition filed by SP R Sukesan. Sukesan in his petition alleged former Vigilance Director Shankar Reddy had intervened in the case to help Mani obtain clean chit.
Mani in his petition said permission for further investigation was granted ignoring the fact there was no fresh evidence against him, and alleged there was a mala fide intention to harass him.