File final report in bar case in 30 days: Vigilance special court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance special court here on Tuesday directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to file the final report in the bar bribery case against former finance minister K.M. Mani within 30 days. Though the VACB sought more  time to submit the report in the further probe, the court declined it citing that already more time had been given twice. The court had earlier directed the VACB to file the further investigation report on May 2.

But the VACB on Tuesday submitted a status report and sought more time to complete the probe. One reason cited by the VACB special investigation unit-I was that the scientific analysis report of the CD containing the conversation of bar owners was still awaited from the forensic science lab. The VACB also said that the investigation officer in the case was on long leave and hence the probe was being delayed.

But the inquiry commissioner and special judge rejected these contentions, which were cited by the VACB earlier also. Meanwhile, there were allegations that the investigation officer in the case DySP Najumal Hassan had gone on long leave owing to the pressure to chargesheet Mr. Mani. Though the Vigilance had earlier filed closure reports in the case, the further investigation was initiated after the VACB informed the court soon after Mr Jacob Thomas took over as Vigilance director last year that certain fresh evidence in the case had surfaced.