The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau here on Saturday started a preliminary probe into the medical bills claimed by Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja.
The probe was effected after complaints were registered against the Minister by senior BJP leader K.Surendran and K.M. Shajahan, who is a former secretary to CPI-M veteran V.S. Achuthanandan.
Shajahan alleged that the Minister and a few medical professionals were engaged in a criminal conspiracy to fabricate documents to cheat the public exchequer of Rs 390,250.
This was a blatant violation of The Members of Kerala Legislative Assembly (Medical Facilities) Rules, 1994 with regard to claim reimbursement of cost of treatment/medical attendance by members, the complaint added.
The issue has caused embracement not just for the Minister but for the CPI-M party after the media took it up and it went viral across the social media as well.
Shailaja on her part has gone on record and said that she has done no wrong. She has said that she has only "claimed that which she is eligible for".
The preliminary probe will look whether rules were breached.
If probe results came out against the Minister it could lead to more embarrassment for the ruling party in the assembly session that begins on Januray 22.
--IANS
sg/in/vm
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