VACB gets proof to nail E P Jayarajan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is learnt to have received enough evidence to register a case against former industries minister E.P. Jayarajan on charges of nepotism and this could have weakened the chances of his re-entry into the cabinet. Vigilance sources said that the quick verification was progressing and a report would be submitted to the court by the beginning of next month.

Though Vigilance officials refused to divulge the details of the probe, a senior Vigilance official said that in the present circumstances,  it would be difficult for Mr Jayarajan to make a come-back to the cabinet. The Vigilance team led by special investigation unit-II SP K. Jayakumar collected evidence against Mr Jayarajan from the Public Sector Restructurng and Internal Audit Board (RIAB) regarding the appointments. Evidence was  also collected from the petitioners Paichira Navaz, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP general secretary K. Surendran.

The 42-day deadline for quick verification will end by this month end and the VACB will have to inform the status of the probe to the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Court (Vigilance) here. Since all appointments over the last five years need to be probed, it may take time. Hence, the Vigilance may also seek more time, said sources.

Mr Jayarajan was caught up in a controversy over the appointment of his nephew P. K. Sudheer, who is also the son of Ms P.K. Sreemathi MP, as managing director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises,  and his brother’s daughter-in-law Deepthi Nishad as  general manager at Kerala Clays and Ceramics Products Limited. The appointments of former chief minister E. K. Nayanar's grandson Sooraj Raveendran as MD of Kinfra Film and Video Park;  CITU state president Anathalavattom Anandan's son Jeeva Anand as MD of Kinfra Apparel Park and Koliakode Krishnan Nair's son Unnikrishnan as general manager of Kinfra also kicked off controversies.