Vigilance not vigilant in bargate: Kerala High Court

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday orally observed that the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau was  not vigilant in the bar bribery case against Excise Minister K. Babu.

The court also asked the Vigilance to produce the 164 statement of Mr Biju Ramesh, the complainant in the case.

Justice B. Kemal Pasha made the  observation while considering a plea filed by Mr  Biju Ramesh who sought to quash the defamation suit filed by Mr  Babu after  Mr Biju alleged that he had  handed over bribe to the minister for opening bars.

The court observed that a separate mechanism was  needed to investigate the bribe allegations like bar bribery case.  The public have a right to know the truth behind the allegation, it said.

During the hearing,  counsel for Mr  Babu said  that Mr Biju Ramesh was  making allegations in the media. If he was  keen on taking action against the minister,  he could have filed a case against him before a lower court.

Mr Biju Ramesh's counsel countered saying that his client had made the revelation and so how could  he file a complaint against the minister.
Kochi: He  contended that the Thrissur Vigilance Court  was  considering the case at present.

The arguments irked the court and Justice  Kemal Pasha orally asked,  “Is there a Vigilance in the state?” He posted the case to February 1 and asked the Vigilance to produce the 164 statement of Mr Biju Ramesh.