Vigilance seeks nod for test on Kerala bar owners

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau team probing the bar bribery allegations against Excise Minister K. Babu on Monday took the statement from excise commissioner Anil Xavier and former taxes secretary A. Ajith Kumar, whereas another Vigilance team probing the allegation against Finance Minister K.M. Mani sought lie detection tests on bar owners and other witnesses in the case.

According to sources, the Vigilance central range team took the statements from the excise commissioner and former taxes secretary in the wake of the allegation raised by Kerala Bar Hotel Owners' Association working president Biju Ramesh that the excise minister was given bribe for bringing down the bar licence fee and that subsequently the licence fee was reduced to Rs 23 lakh in 2013.

In another twist to  the bar bribery row, a group of bar owners who had earlier declined the Vigilance's suggestion for lie detection test,  has now sought more time from a local court to give  their opinion. The court had asked the bar owners, including the association leader  Rajkumar Unni, to give their view by May 16. 

The bar owners said that they would  have to seek medical opinion before accepting the Vigilance's demand for lie detection test.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance team probing the allegation against Mr Mani also sought permission to subject Biju Ramesh's driver Ambili for lie detection test. The court directed him to appear on May 11.

The Vigilance team also took further statements from bar owners and association office-bearers, including Rajkumar Unni, M.D. Dhanesh, Krishnadas and Benoy.

According to sources, though these bar owners had earlier denied Biju Ramesh's allegations that bribe was paid to Mr Mani, with the High Court order in the bar licence case becoming adverse, the chances of the bar owners making a somersault could not be ruled out.

Officials of the Vigilance teams probing the allegations against the ministers also held discussions here on Monday.