THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The special investigation team of Vigilance probing the Travancore Titanium graft case has sought the assistance from Interpol seeking details about two European companies - AVI Europe of the UK and Chematur Eco Planning of Finland - which imported materials for setting up an effluent treatment plant.
The probe team has already written to Interpol seeking their support in the investigation. According to DySP Pradeep Kumar leading the investigation, the Vigilance has sent a request to Interpol and the sleuths will act based on the reply.
“I can’t divulge more details as I have joined the probe team only recently,” he told Express.
Travancore Titanium graft case is a multi-crore scam allegedly involving top Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala when they were in the ruling front in 2005-2006. The case file said the then UDF government had signed an agreement to install an effluent treatment plant at a Titanium factory worth Rs 258 crore and the materials were imported till 2010. Materials worth Rs 62 crore were imported from countries, including Finland, through the consultant, M/s Mecon, based in Ranchi.
It is alleged no global tender was invited to award the construction of the effluent treatment plant and they favoured the consultant causing undue advantage to them and consequent loss to the government. It was also alleged the accused had conspired with other persons and tried to install expensive machinery with an intention to make unlawful gains causing a loss of Rs 258 crore to the state exchequer.
Former PWD minister V K Ebrahim Kunju was also arraigned as an accused in the case. Earlier, the Vigilance was also facing allegations they were dragging the case. However, the probe team has been reshuffled and the fresh team is expected to complete the probe in another three months.
Earlier, Vigilance director Loknath Behera had also said the investigation needs to be extended abroad.