Vigilance directed to produce all records in bar bribery case against Kerala FM K M Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Vigilance court today directed the official, who probed the sensational bar bribery scam in which an FIR had been registered against Finance Minister K M Mani, to produce all records in the case on August 7.

The direction was issued by Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge John K Illikkadan when the report filed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corrution Department seeking closure of the case stating there was no evidence against Mani.

The court said all connected records, including the "Quick Verification" report prepared by the investigating officer, the order of the Vigilance Director in respect of registration of crime should be produced before the court at the next sitting on August seven.

The court also ordered issue of notices to Opposition leader V S Achutanandan and Biju Ramesh, Working President of Kerala bar hotel owners association.

Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December last year in connection with the allegations that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.

The allegation was levelled by Biju Ramesh.