Kerala govt says no evidence in corruption case against finance minister K M Mani

Kerala government today took a stand before the state's high court that there is no clear evidence in the Rs 5 crore bribe charge leveled against the Finance minister K.M. Mani. Advocate General K.P. Dhandapani informed the division bench of the court that the vigilance cell of the Kerala Police so far interrogated 19 persons in the case, yet there is no clear cut evidence to register an FIR against Mani. There are only rumours and media reports about the allegation, no substantial evidences, he said. The court directed the Vigilance Department to complete the investigation quickly.

Dandapani submitted an interim report on the progress of the investigation to the division bench.

 

The Kerala High court, last week, directed the government to submit a report on the progress of the investigation of the case. AG also said that there are 13 more persons to be interrogated in the case and notices had been issued to them.

Earlier, Biju Ramesh, working president of Kerala Bar Hotels Association alleged that K.M. Mani had demanded Rs 5 crore in order to take a stand favourable to bar owners in reopening 418 bars which are closed for the last six months. He said that Rs 1 crore was handed over to him as advance. Based on this, V.S. Sunilkumar, a CPI MLA approached the high court seeking intervention of the court.

Meanwhile, Mani alleged there was a conspiracy behind the allegation and that opposition LDF had planned the stir to demand his resignation.

Speaking to reporters after a high-power committee meeting of Kerala Congress at Kottayam he alleged there was a conspiracy behind the charge levelled by Biju Ramesh.

"It is an attempt to tarnish the image of the party which is celebrating the 50th year of its formation. A legal notice has been issued to him and let the reply come. My life is an open book", he added.