KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the view of the state on a petition filed by M Raseef, vice-president of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce, who deposed before Vigilance department against Minister K Babu in the bar bribery case, seeking police protection.
A Division Bench comprising Justice C K Abdul Raheem and Justice P B Suresh Kumar also adjourned the hearing of the case to May 21.
The government pleader submitted that the allegation in the petition is vague and is aimed at attracting media attention. Hence, it should be dismissed for want of sufficient grounds.
Counsel for the petitioner Sasthamangalam S Ajithkumar submitted that the petitioner gave statement before the Vigilance which is probing the bar bribe case and stated that the money was accepted by the minister and it was given to his private secretary Suresh.
He further stated that he saw Suresh keeping the bag inside the Minister’s car. Counsel pointed out that, the petitioner is now a witness of the police and it is the duty of the police to give protection to the life of the petitioner.
In the petition, Raseef stated that Minister K Babu asked Biju Ramesh to give the bag containing `50 lakh to his private secretary at his chamber during May 2013.