THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has constituted a special investigation team of the Thiruvananthapuram unit to probe the bar bribery case. Vigilance Director Lokanth Behera has entrusted the probe to a team led by SP V S Aji.
The decision was taken following the retirement of former SP R Sukesan. The team will have two DySPS and five SIs. Aji was earlier in charge of the Vigilance special cell. The investigation pertaining to the bar bribery, titanium and Pattoor land deal cases had earlier been investigated by the Vigilance special investigation unit-1.
Though B Asokan, Pathanamthitta district police superintendent, had earlier been entrusted with the probe, the appointment had led to a controversy as he had faced disciplinary action earlier for sabotaging the Vigilance reports in crucial cases. The sudden withdrawal of Vigilance DySP N Nandanan Pillai was because of his reluctance to work under Asokan. Asokan was also accused of correcting Vigilance reports.