CPIM-leader found innocent,revenue dept to withdraw complaint

A CPI(M) local leader, who was suspended from the party for allegedly collecting money from inmates of a relief camp near here, has been found innocent following a probe by the Revenue Department.

Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department, V Venu, in a Facebook post, said the police complaint against Kurupankulanga local committee member Omanakuttan would be withdrawn by the government.

The Revenue Secretary also tendered an apology to him.

The left party, which had suspended Omanakuttan pending inquiry on Friday, said his suspension would be revoked.

Venu said even though collecting money from inmates was not the right thing to do, the department was now convinced of Omanakuttan's integrity.

"The stand of the department is that Omanakuttan is neither a thief, nor a criminal. We have discussed the matter with the district collector and decided to withdraw the complaint filed against him," Venu said.

The Revenue secretary said it was the duty of revenue officials to provide rice for the relief camp but when there is a shortage, the inmates would try to arrange it from somewhere.

"Omanakuttan is also an inmate of the camp. Since there was delay in arranging food materials as revenue officials were engaged in rescue activities across the state, responsible members of the camp took the responsibility in arranging it.

He collected the money to pay for an autorickshaw which delivered the rice. We are also convinced that he had earlier also rendered his services selflessly," Venu said.

Omanakuttan said he was happy that his innocence was proved within a day and said he was not angry or upset with his party for suspending him.

"Which other political party will conduct a proper investigation and bring out the truth the next day itself? Those who have done this have nothing to do with this camp. They wanted to trash the government's image and that of the CPI(M).

They wanted to thwart the rescue attempts and rehabilitation initiatives of the government," Omanakuttan told the media.

The camp dwellers had submitted a memorandum to authorities seeking withdrawal of the police complaint against Omanakuttan saying he had not done anything wrong.

They also said all Omanakuttan collected was just Rs 70 for the "auto-charge.