Plea seeking CBI probe into bar bribe case posted to Jan 28

The Kerala High Court today reserved its orders to Wednesday on a petition seeking a CBI probe into the controversial bar bribe scam in which allegations of corruption has been levelled against state finance minister KM Mani.

When the petition by Revolutionary Socialist Party of Kerala (Bolshevik) general secretary AV Thamarakshan seeking CBI probe against Mani came up, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice A M Shaffique heard the government and petitioner's counsel and posted the petition to Wednesday to pronounce orders.

Advocate General KP Dandapani, who appeared for the government, submitted that the complainant in the bar bribe scam Biju Ramesh, working President of Bar Owners Association, had been making "discloures" on different occasions. Recently, he had submitted an audio tape which has to be scientifically examined. This was causing delay in the probe, he stated.

Ten witnesses had so far been examined by vigilance, the court was informed.

The petitioner submitted that "inaction" on the part of Vigilance to conduct a fair probe into the alleged corruption was illegal.

The audio tape released by Biju Ramesh also points to the allegations of corruption against Mani, it was stated.

According to the petitioner, neither Mani nor his relatives have been questioned so far in the case. No raid had been conducted so far at their residence in Pala, Kottayam, where bribe amount was alleged to have been handed over.

Hence, no fair and transparent inquiry would be held it was stated.