VACB books former DySP K Harikrishnan

Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Friday booked former Perumbavur DySP K. Harikrishnan,  who was a member of the solar scam investigation team, for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.   “Simultaneous raids were conducted at  various places, including his three apartments,  and it was found that a detailed investigation by registering a case is required. We’ve seized certain documents relating to land purchase and bank accounts,” said a senior official.

The Vigilance had submitted an FIR with the Kottayam Vigilance Court last Wednesday and obtained a search warrant. The sleuths had got information that he had purchased land worth more than '50 lakh while serving as DySP in Perumbavur. The Vigilance director had then directed for a quick verification probe which found him to have disproportionate assets. “The raid yielded results that confirm the quick verification report. We’ll also inspect his bank accounts and benami dealings in the coming days,” the official said.

The VACB Special Cell officials from Kochi conducted simultaneous raids on the residence of Harikrishnan at  Haripad, a property and house purchased by him in his wife's name at Choonad near Kayamkulam and another apartment located on  Perumbavur-Aluva route.

“He has constructed luxurious houses at  Haripad and Choonad. Whether he had invested money in any business is also being examined,” the official said. Harikrishnan had served as DySP in Perumbavur for four-and-a-half years from 2011 under the UDF regime. There had been several controversies about Harikrishnan while probing the solar scam. It was alleged that the procedure adopted to arrest Saritha S. Nair, the main accused, was improper and that he concealed crucial evidence which dented the probe in the case.