The Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court on Saturday directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to register a case against former Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, former Industries and IT Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, self-styled god-man Santhosh Madhavan, and his business ally B.M. Jayashankar in connection with a controversial land deal at Puthenvelikkara in Ernakulam.
The court, however, exempted former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Vishwas Mehta, Revenue Additional Chief Secretary, from the case.
Though the petition, filed by Kalamassery native Girish Babu G., over the alleged irregularities in transfer of land to RMZ Eco World Infrastructure Pvt Ltd had not included Mr. Kunhalikutty, his role figured in a quick verification report filed by the VACB.
In his order, Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) P. Madhavan stated that the proposal of land transfer came up before the Council of Ministers on February 25 this year, based on a personal note presented by Mr. Kunhalikutty.
A decision to exempt the property, earlier owned by Santhosh Madhavan and B.M. Jayashankar, under Section 81(3) of the Kerala Land Reforms Act was taken at the same meeting without any objection of Mr. Prakash, though the subject belonged to his portfolio.
Meeting of minds
“It indicates a prior meeting of minds with P.K. Kunhalikutty and Adoor Prakash, Santhosh Madhavan and B.M. Jayashankar before it was introduced in the council. Accordingly, the matter was approved without any study or verification,” the court observed in its order.
Raising suspicions about the hasty manner with which the matter was brought to the Council of Ministers when the same was pending with the Revenue Department, the court also observed that the GO, which sets guidelines for starting IT and high-tech parks, had stated that the proposed land shall not be wetland.
The court further found that Santhosh Madhavan and members of the company, despite having no expertise in developing an IT park, were eager in obtaining exemption.
In an order on March 2 this year, the State government decided to hand over 95.44 acres at Puthanvelikkara village in Ernakulam district and 32.41 acres at Madathumpady village in Kodungalloor in Thrissur district to RMZ Eco World Infrastructure Private Limited for setting up an IT park subject to constraints, including clearance and permission in accordance with the Paddy Land and Wetland Act.
The order also exempted land ceiling limits under Section 81 (3) of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, also subject to constraints.
With the move kicking up a controversy, the government later withdrew the order.
Directive to VACB
Case against Adoor Prakash, P.K. Kunhalikutty , two others
Court exempts former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy
