KOCHI: The State Government on Friday submitted before the Kerala High Court that the audio tape that reportedly contains conversation of the bar owners claiming that they had given bribe to Finance Minister K M Mani should be sent to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory for scientific examination.
Advocate General (AG) K P Dandapani made the submission while considering a petition filed by Revolutionary Socialist Party (Bolshevik) general secretary A V Thamarakshan, seeking CBI probe into the bar bribery case. The petitioner submitted that the audio tapes released recently by Bar Owners Association working president Biju Ramesh validated the corruption allegation against K M Mani. The 22-minute-long audio tape, which reportedly contains conversation of Association executive member Animon, claims that Mani had demanded `30 crore as bribe for not re-opening the 418 bars which were closed in March 2104, and for allowing 312 bars to function.
“It also reveals that Rs 2 crore was handed over to Mani at Nedumbassery,” the petition stated.
“Though there was clear evidence against Mani the investigation team has not yet conducted raid to seize the money from the accused. The complainant pointed out that though the money was handed over to Mani in the presence of his wife she was not questioned. The relatives and close associates of Mani were also not questioned. The investigation by the Vigilance Department is only an eyewash,” counsel for the petitioner A X Varghese submitted.
“Being the Finance and Law Minister of the State, Mani is a highly influential person. So, there will not be a fair and transparent investigation. The Chief Minister and Home Minister are also protecting the Minister. Moreover, the investigating officers are employees of the government.
“Hence, the investigation should be handed over to the CBI. Judicial intervention is inevitable as there is apprehension among the public that the investigation of the case would be derailed. No one dares to take action against the Minister, except the CBI,” the petitioner submitted.
The AG submitted that the complainant in the case was making fresh revelations everyday, and that such revelations were delaying the investigation.
Biju Ramesh handed over an audio tape the other day to the Vigilance Department, which has to be sent to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory. So far, ten witnesses have been examined. The State also refuted the allegation that there was a move to change the investigation officer. A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A M Shaffique asked the petitioner whether it was proper to demand CBI probe as the investigation by the Vigilance Department had just begun. The court will pronounce the order in the case on Wednesday.
