KOCHI: The state government Monday filed an affidavit in the Kerala High Court pointing that a CBI probe is not needed against Excise Minister K Babu in the bar case. The government informed their stand on the pleas filed seeking a CBI probe. A probe was sought against the allegation of Biju Ramesh, bar association working president that the minister had demanded an amount of Rs 10 crore for not increasing the bar license fee to Rs 30 lakh from 22 lakh. It was also alleged that Rs 50 lakh was handed over to the minister at the secretariat.
The affidavit said vigilance’ Ernakulam unit had probed the allegation against the minister and no evidences were found against him. The statements of 23 witnesses were also recorded in the case. None of them had given statements against the minister. That is why the government decided to close the case last year and not to register a FIR against him. The court had earlier asked whey an FIR was not registered against the minister.
Pleas have been filed against the minister in Ernakulam and Thrissur Vigilance Court and Lok Ayuktha in Thiruvananthapuram. An investigation is being held on all these. The case in Lok Ayuktha is being postponed. The government has clarified that evidences have not been found in the cases in other two courts. The government has made clear that those who have complaints against the minister can become a party in lower courts.
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