Vigilance delays action on Thomas Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) is unlikely to initiate action under Prevention of Corruption Act against Transport Minister Thomas Chandy in connection with the allegations pertaining to his Alappuzha resort. The vigilance additional director of prosecution (vigilance) K. D. Babu is yet to give his legal opinion on a set of petitions, including that of Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. There were allegations that the government wanted the vigilance to maintain a delay tactics on the matter until the Vengara bypoll is over.

According to sources, the vigilance is likely to take a view that the allegations levelled against Mr Chandy in a set of petitions received by VACB pertained to acts that took place while he was not even an MLA. Hence Prevention of Corruption Act could not be invoked. Another contention of the vigilance would be that the allegations of illegal filling of wetland and illegal constructions were rule violations that need to be looked into by the revenue and local bodies. Mr Babu told DC that since there were four or five petitions, more time was required to look into all aspects. 

According to VACB sources, legal wing earlier took a view that PC Act could not be invoked against Mr Chandy on a similar petition when he was not an ML. It had also maintained that the allegations pertained to revenue and building rule violations and hence the departments concerned only need to look into them and recommend action. Mr Babu maintained a similar stand in the present batch of petitions, said the sources. The VACB is also learnt to be more cautious this time as CPM leader E. P. Jayarajan had to even quit the Cabinet following a nepotism case and the case is being closed now.