HC refuses to stay probe order against VA Arun Kumar

Wednesday, February 08, 2012: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the Single Bench directive approving investigation against V.A. Arun Kumar, son of Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, in connection with the irregularities in IHRD appointments.
Arun Kumar had approached the court against the state government order to conduct probe against him by the Vigilance. The previous LDF government had handed over the probe to Lok Ayukta but soon after the UDF gained power this decision was withdrawn and the probe was handed over to the Vigilance.
Allegations
The vigilance will inquire into the allegation that Arun Kumar had asked for a commission of five per cent from the promoter of Kannur Power Project, K.P.P. Nambiar, his business relations with Cherry Enterprises, source of funds for membership in the Thiruvananthapuram Golf Club and the Kozhikode Cosmopolitan Club.
Foreign trips
Certain allegations raised by senior advocate K. Ramkumar against Arun Kumar regarding his connections and his foreign trips will be investigated.
The vigilance will look into the failure of the authorities to take action against officials involved in the Marayoor sandalwood case against whom the CBI had recommended action and the smooth retirement of Chief Conservator of Forest arraigned by the CBI.
It will also look into the irregularities in the renewal of licence for a sandalwood factory at Elappully in Palakkad district.
Most of the allegations had been raised by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy when he was Leader of the Opposition in a letter to then Chief Minister seeking action.