Bar Scam: Bar owner gives confidential statement

The Kerala Bar Hotel Association working president Biju Ramesh, who levelled bribery charges against state Finance Minister K M Mani in the bar license scam, today gave a confidential statement before the First Class Magistrate here.
The statement was given as per the request of Vigilance and Anti-Corrution Bureau officials probing the scam.
Talking to reporters later, Biju said he had given evidence to support his charges before the court.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had recently registered a case against Mani in connection with the charge that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.
The Congress-led UDF ministry has been under attack by CPI(M)-led opposition since the scam broke out last November.

The Opposition was also on the warpath demanding resignation of Mani, the Kerala Congress (M) supremo.
The recently concluded Assembly session also witnessed unprecedented violence over the issue when LDF opposition members tried to prevent Mani from presenting the state budget in the House on March 13.