Vigilance to File Bar Bribe Probe Report

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (KERALA):The probe into the bar bribery scam, allegedly involving Finance Minister K M Mani, is nearing its end. The investigating officer (IO) informed the Vigilance Court here on Friday that the final report will be submitted after availing legal scrutiny and expert opinion.

Vigilance SP Sukesan R, who heads the probe team, told the court that the final report will be filed as soon as all the formalities are completed. However, he said   these formalities did not come under the IO’s  purview. The IO made the statement while hearing a petition moved by Biju Ramesh, working president of the Kerala Bar Hotels Association, seeking a direct supervision by the court in the bar bribery case against Mani. The Vigilance Special cell had registered a case against Mani for having accepted money from the bar owners after Biju Ramesh raised allegations that the Minister was paid Rs 1 crore to renew liquor licenses.

Speculations are rife that the Vigilance would soon file the chargesheet against Mani in the case. The chargesheet would be backed by circumstantial evidence, including audio recordings of Biju Ramesh, result of the polygraph test on his driver Ambili and statements of over hundred persons.