Government may deny prosecution nod

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau exploring the scope of prosecuting Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the bar bribery case, the government is pinning its hopes on denying the prosecution sanction and thereby buying  time.

According to sources,  Vigilance special investigation unit SP R. Sukesan  started preparing the factual report in the case on Monday as the bar association office-bearers had declined to undergo the polygraph test.

A decision on filing the chargesheet has to be taken by the Vigilance director after obtaining legal opinion on the factual report and the opinion of other subordinate officers.

Even if the Vigilance decides to file the chargesheet,  the prosecution sanction has to be obtained from the appointing authority, in this case the Governor.

UDF sources said that the government had conveyed to Mr Mani that even if the Vigilance decides to chargesheet him, the case could be scuttled by denying the prosecution sanction by obtaining a favourable legal opinion. Moreover, Mr Mani himself is now holding the law portfolio.

The Vigilance recommendations along with the remarks of the council of ministers would have to be forwarded to the Governor.

Even if the Governor decides to grant prosecution sanction, the matter could be taken to the court. The whole process could easily be dragged for months or even years.

Even the CPM had adopted a similar strategy in the SNC- Lavalin case against former state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, sources pointed out.

Meanwhile, there are conflicting opinions within the Vigilance itself. One section feels that since none of those who allegedly handed over bribe to Mr Mani had admitted it, the scope for taking the case to its logical conclusion could be  difficult and hence Mr Mani may get the benefit of doubt.