THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after a TV sting operation brought out an alleged land fraud in Wayand by a nexus between revenue officials and ruling CPI district leaders, the Kerala government has announced a Vigilance investigation into the issue.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, opposition UDF alleged widespread land frauds and encroachments across the state. They further alleged that the CPI has been hand in glove with the land mafia in the state.
UDF along with the Kerala Congress (M) and BJP demanded a judicial probe into the whole episode, considering the matter's gravity and staged a walkout from the House.
Earlier responding to the adjournment motion over the issue, Revenue Minister and senior CPI leader E Chandrasekhran alleged deliberate attempt to tarnish the Left government, revenue department and the CPI. Soon after the sting operation came out, a deputy collector was suspended.
"The Revenue Commissioner has been entrusted with a comprehensive probe into the allegation. If anyone is found guilty, strict action would be taken," Chandrasekharan said and urged the opposition not to make political gains out of the issue.
The ruling party will carry out an investigation into the issue, the Minister further added.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too said there's no ministerial or top bureaucrat level corruption in the issue.
"The government will not tolerate corruption. In the wake of the allegation, a Vigilance investigation would be carried out," Pinarayi informed the House.
It was on Monday that a Television channel's sting operation aired visuals of a Deputy Collector taking a bribe for converting surplus government land to private land at Vythiri Taluk in Wayanad.
The sting further had the journalists approaching the CPI district secretary for the fraud.
Soon after the TV expose came on the air, the government suspended the Deputy Collector.
The CPI state chief also announced a party-level investigation.