The representatives of the state government on Friday submitted before the Kerala High Court that a CBI re-investigation into five cases registered by the Vigilance Department, in regard to irregularities in purchasing materials for Malabar Cements Ltd, is not needed.
In an affidavit, K Madhu, Under Secretary to the Government, Vigilance Department, stated that they had completed probes into four vigilance cases registered against the company officials, including a former chairman, and chargesheets have been filed. The cases are pending before the Court of Enquiry Commissioner and the Special Judge.
“It is not reasonable and proper to order a CBI re-investigation into cases pending before the court or those which are under investigation,” representatives said.
The cases have been registered against irregularities relate d to the purchase of high grade lime stone by entering into a long-term agreement with a private company, procurement of dry fly ash and purchase of LPG bags.
According to representatives of the state, various orders passed by the court have pointed out that investigations into cases registered under the Vigilance Department were subject to directions made by the court and the court has not made any adverse remarks on the conduct of the probe.
The Cabinet has not taken any decision to hand over the case to the CBI as alleged by the petitioners, they added.
The state had already ensued a probe into the suspicious death of Saseendran, former company secretary of Malabar Cements Ltd and his two children.
“If there is any link between the Vigilance case under investigation and the cause of death, the CBI is at liberty to look into the case diary files so as to unearth the truth”.
According to the representatives, Saseendran is not a prime or crucial witness in the Vigilance cases, as contended by the petitioners.