Coming down heavily on the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Thrissur Vigilance Court took the former to task for not exhibiting the drive or will to bring the case to its logical conclusion. Babu said that he is resigning although there is no prima facie evidence against him.
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The enquiry has been ordered based on a complaint filed by social activist George Vattukulam.
After submitting his resignation to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Babu said he was victim of “conspiracy” by bar owners with support of CPI-M.
“It was on October 31, 2014 that Biju Ramesh, who owns nine bars in the capital city, first made an allegation against then state finance minister K.M. Mani”.
Importantly, the court also observed that offering bribe is a crime and a case should be registered against Biju Ramesh as well.
Issuing the order, Thrissur Vigilance court judge S S Vasan directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to register a case against Babu.
Babu told reporters in Kochi that he was putting in his papers on moral grounds without even waiting to read the court order. The CPI (M) had assured bar owners that they would reopen the bats if the party came to power.
Babu alleged a political conspiracy saying there was a meeting between the bar owners and CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at the residence of MLA Sivankutty. “I have submitted my resignation”, said Babu speaking to the media in Ernakulam.
Mani had quit in November a year ago, after the high court gave the nod for a further probe as asked by the vigilance court.
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In an apparent reference to the liquor policy of the Congress-led UDF government to close down more than 700 bar hotels as part of its prohibition plan, he described himself as a “martyr” for implementing a government scheme for welfare of the society.
