Truth in bar scam issue will triumph, says Mani

Kerala Finance Minister K.M. Mani said on Sunday that the truth in the "non-existent" bar scam case will ultimately triumph, adding that he did no wrong.

Mani was reacting after reports hinted that the vigilance department director Vinson M. Paul has finalised the report exonerating Mani from the probe that his department conducted.

"The truth will finally triumph and haven't we seen the way the entire script in this non-existent case unfolded in a systematic manner... I was very confident because I know I have done no wrong," Mani told reporters here.

Mani's name surfaced in the bar scam issue in October 2014 after bar owner Biju alleged that besides the finance minister, three other cabinet ministers also took bribe from the bar owners for re-opening the bars that were closed under the state's new liquor policy.

"I will react further once the final verdict comes," Mani said.

After the Left opposition took up the issue in an unrelenting manner, the Oommen Chandy-led government asked the vigilance department to register a case against Mani and Kerala Excise Minister K. Babu.

The vigilance department in its report has said there are no clinching evidences to substantiate the allegations.

With the vigilance department clearing the duo of the charges, the focus is now on the vigilance court, which will give its opinion on the issue based on the inquiry reports.