Ker govt to approach Acting CJ on 'Vigilance Raj' criticism

The Kerala government will approach the Acting Chief Justice for clarification on the "Vigilance Raj" criticism by the High Court against the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, and to frame guidelines to deal with the cases before the body.
"The government will approach the Chief Justice for clarification of the 'Vigilance Raj' criticism by the High Court against Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) and to frame guidelines to deal with complaints and cases that come up before that body," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today.
"The government cannot take a unilateral decision on the issue, so we decided to approach the CJ," he said.

Acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishan had while considering a petition by leader of the opposition Ramesh Chennithala yesterday criticised the vigilance body and directed it to "explain"its authority to "comment on or direct" the government to review administrative decisions and actions.
Chennithala had questioned the "quick verification" ordered against the previous Congress-led UDF government's decision to promote IPS officer N Shanker Reddy to DGP rank and appointing him as VACB director.
"The government will have to think very seriously and decide whether the VACB in Kerala should be allowed to reign over the government. If Vigilance is given such powers, Kerala will go to Vigilance Raj," Justice P Ubaid had said.

Asked about reports that the Vigilance director had put up a notice today, stating that complaints against high profile persons would not be entertained hereafter, Vijayan said, "A probe has to be undertaken if a complaint is received."
However, he said he was unaware of any such notice and would look into it.
The notice was later removed.