Assembly adjourned over bar bribe case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Assembly was adjourned till July 12 in the face of opposition protest over the alleged government move to protect ministers involved in corruption cases.

Trouble broke out when the Speaker denied an adjournment motion seeking discussion over a Vigilance report, submitted to the Vigilance Court, that there was no proof to prove that Finance Minister K M Mani had collected bribe from bar owners to renew the licenses of closed bars in the state.

Seeking the leave of the House to move the adjournment motion in this regard, CPI (M) MLA Suresh Kurup alleged Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was responsible for sabotaging the case by influencing the Vigilance Department officials.

Criticizing Vigilance Director Vincent M Paul for allegedly taking a fake legal opinion for protecting the Minister from the bribe case, he said the Vigilance officials violated the criminal procedure code and the vigilance manual.

In his reply, Home Minister stated that the case was pending before the court for hearing today and a discussion on the issue was against the Assembly rules. Earlier, Speaker N Sakthan also pointed out that the issue should not be discussed in the House as the case was pending before the court.

However, the Speaker allowed the CPI (M) MLA to speak on the issue after an assurance from opposition deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan that there would not be any comment from their side to influence the court.

Stating that the inquiry by the Vigilance officials in the bar bribe case was impartial, he said the Government has not influenced the probe officials to sabotage the case at any level.

Following the Minister's reply, the Speaker denied permission to move the adjournment motion. Alleging that the Government was protecting the minister in the bribe case, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan trooped the LDF members to the Well of the House and staged a sit-in dharna.

Later, the Speaker rushed through the proceedings and adjourned the House.

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