Government slams depositions against K Babu

Kochi: The state government on Thursday informed Kerala High Court that the depositions of M. Raseef, vice-president, Kerala Chamber of Commerce, before the Vigilance department against Excise Minister K. Babu in a bar bribery case were not true.

The government made the submission in an affidavit filed in response to a writ petition filed by Mr. Raseef seeking police protection. There was  no scope or apprehension about his security, it said.

The petitioner said that certain strange people were seen loitering around his house. He  had received calls stating that he should withdraw the statement made by him and help the minister.

He said Mr Biju Ramesh at a press conference had alleged that the petitioner had accompanied him when he went to meet the minister. The petitioner alleged that it was on account of this disclosure  that he was apprehending danger and was being threatened.

The police  submitted that the petitioner had failed to hand over any details to substantiate his arguments for police protection.