KOCHI: The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) has registered case against former managing director of Consumerfed and its former president for carrying out construction works without the permission of the Cooperation Department, and for misappropriation of funds.
Case was registered against Consumerfed former MD Riji G Nair and former president Joy Thomas who is also a Congress leader.
In addition, the VACB has arraigned contractors Manoharan and Robin John as accused in the case. The FIR of the case was registered in the Vigilance Court two days ago.As per the FIR, while serving Consumerfed in the 2011-2013 period, the accused misappropriated the fund allotted for construction of the Muvattupuzha outlet of Triveni Supermarket.
It is alleged that the accused raised false invoices for furnishing works that Consumerfed contractor did not actually carry out, in the space taken on rent for setting up the outlet.In addition, the VACB detected irregularities in the construction, furnishing and electrification of the Consumerfed guesthouse, which was allegedly done without obtaining permission of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. It was also found that flats were taken on rent for the officials without consent of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
“Last month, we carried out a preliminary inquiry following a tip-off. Based on the enquiry, we registered the FIR,” said a VACB official.
Ever since the VACB detected irregularities in the affairs of Consumerfed last year, Riji G Nair was placed under suspicion. Following multiple allegations of corruption, the State Government quashed the Consumerfed director board, in which Joy Thomas was a member. There are more complaints with regard to functioning of the Consumerfed under its former office-bearers during the rule of the UDF Government.