Vigilance may shift stand on K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has directed its legal advisor C. C. Augustine to appear in the bar bribery case against former finance minister K. M. Mani instead of deputy director of prosecution G. Saseendran, who had been arguing for closure of the case.

Sources said the new move could be a prelude to a change in its stand that Mr Mani could not be charge-sheeted. The decision also came close on the heels of director Jacob Thomas reviewing the case. The Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) here is scheduled to consider the case on July 12.

A set of petitions filed against the further investigation report of the VACB exonerating Mr Mani is due to be heard by the court. Veteran CPM leader V. S. Achuthanandan, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan, agriculture minister V. S. Sunilkumar and AAP leader Sarah Joseph were among those who filed objections to the further investigation report.

Mr Saseendran, who earlier appeared in the case, had strongly argued for dropping the case considering the report. The court had even witnessed heated arguments between Mr Saseendran and Mr Achuthanandan's counsel. Mr Augustine had reportedly maintained earlier that as per the initial factual report on SP R. Sukesan there was no scope to prosecute Mr Mani.

However, his opinion was not sought on the further investigation report. Meanwhile, sources said the government might soon remove Mr Saseendran from the deputy director of prosecutions post. A former Vigilance legal advisor and another lawyer close to the CPM are under considered for the job. Mr Saseendran was appointed by previous UDF government.