Prima facie evidence for Mani accepting bribe, says court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court Thursday said there is prima facie evidence for Finance Minister K M Mani accepting bribe to open the closed 418 bars. The court also approved that an amount of Rs 25 lakh was handed over to him in two instalments. The court mentioned these things in the order directing a further probe against Mani.

Rs 25 lakh cash was handed over to Mani between March 22 and April 4 in 2015. Rs 15 lakh was given first and then Rs 10 lakh. The compact discs containing the dialogues of bar owners were evidences for it. The court has also directed to probe the financial dealings of bar hotel association.

The court harshly criticized vigilance director Winson M Paul, who monitored the probe in the case. The findings in the factual report of investigating official SP Sukesan was correct. However, Winson M Paul covered the truths and added his own conclusions. The court order has also mentioned that Sukesan was under pressure to exempt the findings in the report. 

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