THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) will interrogate finance minister KM Mani in connection with the bar bribery case that is being probed by the agency. The investigating arm of the agency, the special investigation unit-I, has conveyed the decision to the minister and has sought a convenient time for the procedure.
Even though a statement from the minister was recorded earlier during the quick verification procedure, the next interrogation would be a detailed one, said sources. “The earlier interrogation was conducted as part of the quick verification when the material and other evidences were not gathered. This will be a more detailed recording of the statement of the minister on the basis of all the evidences that have been gathered by the vigilance department,” sources said.
The vigilance has also decided to record the statements of MLA PC George who had expressed his willingness to share more details about the case in the letter he had sent to vigilance director Vinson M Paul.
Along with the final preparations to submit the chargesheet, the vigilance has also moved the court seeking permission for the forensic examination of the evidence ‘the audio tape’ submitted by bar hotel owners’ association working president Biju Ramesh in court.
According to the Indian Evidence Act, the electronic evidences that have been gathered can be used as evidences, provided that the authenticity of such evidences gathered are proved through forensic examination. Once the forensic examination is conducted, the audio tape that has been submitted by Biju Ramesh before the court will become part of the material evidences gathered by the agency along with other evidences and the statements of more than 300 witnesses whose statements have been recorded in connection with the case.
The FIR was registered after completing the quick verification on December 10 last year and the agency is working to complete the probe and submit the final report by the end of May, to meet the initial decided deadline of six months.
The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau will interrogate finance minister KM Mani in connection with the bar bribery case that is being probed by the agency.
The investigating arm of the agency, the special investigation unit-I, has conveyed the minister about the decision and has asked for his convenience for the procedure.
READ ALSO: Vigilance files FIR against Mani with good evidence in hand
Even though a statement from the minister was recorded earlier during the quick verification in the case, the next interrogation will be a detailed one, it is learnt from the vigilance sources. “The earlier interrogation was only as part of the quick verification when the material and other evidences were not gathered. This will be a more detailed recording of the statement of the minister on the basis of all the evidences that have been gathered by the vigilance,” sources said.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy handing over the memento to Finance minister KM Mani during the public reception organised by the Kerala Tax Practitioners’ Association. (TOI photo: Rakesh Nair)
The vigilance has also decided to record the statements of PC George MLA who had expressed his willingness to share more details about the case, in a letter sent to vigilance director Vinson M Paul. Along with the final preparations to submit the charge-sheet, the vigilance has also moved the court seeking permission for the forensic examination of the evidence- the audio tape- submitted by bar hotel owners’ association working president Biju Ramesh in the court.
READ ALSO: Opposition steps up attack against Mani
According to the Indian Evidence Act, the electronic evidences that have been gathered can be used as evidences, provided that the authenticity of such evidences gathered are proved through the forensic examination. Once the forensic examination is conducted, the audio tape that has been submitted by Biju Ramesh before the court will become part of the material evidences gathered by the agency along with other evidences and the statements of more than 300 witnesses whose statements have been recorded in connection with the case.
READ ALSO: Bar bribery case ‘involving’ law minister KM Mani — HC rules out CBI probe for now
The FIR was registered after completing the quick verification on December 10 last year and the agency is working to complete the probe and submit the final report by the end of May, to meet the initial decided deadline of six months.
TOI | May 7, 2015
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