HC pulls up Vigilance for not filing FIR in graft case

The Kerala High Court today criticised the state government and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for not filing an FIR against various officials of Malabar Cements and a controversial contractor who has close links with the company in a case of alleged corruption. Passing orders on a petition by the complainant in the matter, Justice B Kemal Pasha asked the Vigilance Director to be present in the court in case FIR was not registered within a week.
Earlier, the Vigilance Department had conducted a Quick Verification against various officials in the company and contractor V M Radhakrishnan on a complaint of alleged corruption filed by one Joy Kaitharath. Due to inaction in registering FIR, the petitioner had approached the high court and the government had informed that an FIR has been registered against the accused, following which the petition was closed earlier.

However, later on verification it was found that FIR was not registered and the petitioner again approached the high court.
Justice Kemal Pasha, while considering the review petition, said that judicial process cannot be stalled for the controversial businessman.
Coming down heavily on the lethargic attitude of the Vigilance Department, the court granted one week's time to it for registering FIR in the case, failing which Vigilance Director shall be present in the court in person on July 18.