Vigilance clean chit for Oommen Chandy in nepotism case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has concluded in quick verification that there is no evidence to substantiate allegations of nepotism filed against former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and nine others, including his Cabinet colleagues. Vigilance judge A Badarudeen had ordered a quick verification against Mr Chandy and others on the basis of a complaint that they had appointed close relatives on government jobs, violating established procedures and that many such appointees were not qualified for the posts.

The main charge against Mr Chandy was that he had appointed his nephew to a government post. But on enquiry, it was found that he did not have a nephew by the name mentioned in the complaint and no nephew was given a government job. There was a similar charge against former food and civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob that he had appointed his sister, Ambily Jacob, which was again not substantiated.

Others, who were sought to be hauled up before the vigilance court, were former ministers K.M. Mani, V.S. Sivakumar, P.K. Jayalakshmy and M.  Vincent, MLA and V.M. Ummer and R. Selvaraj, ex-MLAs. There were 13 names originally, but judge Badarudeen dropped three names from the QV probe list. The charges were brought up mainly as counter-allegation to the charge of nepotism filed against former industry minister E.P. Jayarajan. The team found several names mentioned in the complaint as fictitious. SP K. Jayakumar told DC that the QV report, clearing the accused of nepotism, would be filed at the Vigilance court early next week. The court on Saturday gave him another 10 days to file the report.