Ramesh Chennithala vows to probe his own decision
DySP’s removal from probe into mining row involving Kareem’s kin under scanner
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has promised to intensify a Crime Branch probe into allegations of cheating by T. P. Naushad, close relative of former Industry Minister Elamaram Kareem, and also entrust the ADGP with examining the transfer of Economic Offences Wing DySP P. T. Balan, who investigated the cheating case.
The minister's assurance came on a complaint by Mr V. P. Moideenkutty Haji, who is among members of 17 families, allegedly cheated of their land by Mr Naushad by promising to make them partners in a quarrying business.
The area in question is 56 acres located near Balussery and Mukkom-Karassery. The families parted with the land trusting Mr Naushad, who was influential in the LDF Government, would share with them the proceeds of quarrying. However, nothing transpired even after months when they realised it was a fraudulent deal and approached the government.
Curiously, Mr Balan's transfer from the Economic Offences Wing in Kozhikode to the Narcotic Cell in Malappuram followed a visit by Mr Kareem and INTUC state president R. Chandrasekharan to Mr Chennithala at the Secretariat in August. Mr Chandrasekaharan was in the midst of an "indefinite fast", demanding among other things the ouster of additional chief secretary (finance) K. M. Abraham.
The latter had filed a confidential report on the massive graft at Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation to the High Court Chief Justice and recommended a CBI probe into KSCDC deals during the last decade. But, Mr Chennithala on Wednesday ruled out a CBI probe into Mr Naushad's cheating case, which had not made much progress after Mr Balan's exit. However, the cashew corruption, first recommended for a Vigilance probe by the Cabinet, has since been taken over by the CBI on the directions of the High Court.
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