File Photo: Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani.
The Opposition led by CPI(M)'s V S Achuthanandan staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly today over the alleged decision of the state Vigilance department to give a 'clean-chit' to state Finance Minister and Kerala Congress leader KM Mani.
Introducing an adjournment motion, the Opposition demanded a discussion on vigilance report and investigations in the corruption case against Mr Mani where he was allegedly bribed with Rs 1 crore for reopening the shut bars according to some bar owners.
"KM Mani was given a clean chit by Oommen Chandy even before the investigations began... no raids have been conducted neither have concerned bank accounts been scrutinised during the investigation process," VS Achuthanandan said in the Assembly.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala came to his government's defence saying that the vigilance report was still not been submitted and that there was no interference by the government at any stage.
"It is well within their ambit of their jurisdiction to seek any legal assistance whenever they require. The government has nothing to do with the investigations. Nobody can be chargesheeted on basis of suspicion, for the lack of evidence. This case from the beginning was baseless", Home MinisterRamesh Chennithala told the Assembly.
The Opposition has claimed that the investigating officer of the case has been asked to change his fact-finding report to give KM Mani a clean chit. Mr Chennithala denied these charges in the Assembly.
A First Information Report or FIR was filed against KM Mani last year over bribery allegations made by Hotelier Biju Ramesh. The government had ordered a Vigilance investigation into the case after backing its key ally publicly.