Kochi: Additional chief secretary questioned by vigilance

Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday grilled additional chief secretary Tom Jose against whom a case of amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income is pending. Mr Tome Jose appeared before the vigilance office in Kochi at 11 am and he was questioned till 7.30 pm. Mr Jose produced details sought by Vigilance in the case including his bank details. The VACB will verify the documents and will summon him again if needed, top sources said.

The vigilance team had earlier conducted raids at the flat of Mr Jose at Vellayambalam and his office at Secretariat. While the raid at the flat began by 7 am., the raid at the office began by 11 am. Mr Jose is the principal secretary, Labour and Skills Department. Mr V.N. Sasidharan, the Vigilance SP, said that Mr Jose, while working as a government servant from January 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, was found in possession of pecuniary resources and properties disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The total assets acquired by the accused during the period was put at Rs 2.39 crore while the total expenditure was Rs 72.20 lakh. The total income was calculated at Rs 1.91 crore. The assets and expenditure together did not commensurate with his known sources of income, during the above period. They exceed the income by Rs 1.91 (62.35 per cent) which he cannot satisfactorily account for. The accused has committed an offence punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.