Anti-corruption activist K.P. Vijayakumar on Monday moved a petition before the Kozhikode Inquiry Commissioner and Special Vigilance Judge against the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau (VACB) for not arraigning Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef as an accused in the case relating to diversion of the Cherottuvayal slum development project fund in the city.
In his petition, Mr. Vijakumar said the VACB had only recommended department-level action after completing the investigation.
Posted to May 17
The judge V. Jayaram has posted the petition for hearing to May 17. The petitioner alleged that Prof. Latheef and Ward Councillor C.K. Renuka Devi, both belonging to the Communist Party of India- (Marxist), had hatched a criminal conspiracy, misused power, forged documents, and caused financial loss to the public exchequer under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Allegation
The allegation pertained to siphoning of fund, earmarked for the development of slum in Cherottuvayal, to construct a footpath in front of the house of Ms. Renuka Devi.
Previously, the VACB had filed First Information Report (FIR) in 10 cases against former Mayor and CPI (M) district secretariat member M. Bhaskaran and other Corporation officials after completing investigation into 44 allegations of irregularities during the tenure of the previous Corporation Council under the Left Democratic Front from 2005 to 2010.
The Vigilance Court in December 2011 had issued directions for a vigilance inquiry on the basis of a petition moved by Mr. Vijayakumar, journalist and convener of the Anti-Corruption Campaign Committee.
The petitioner had submitted nearly 3,000 documents to support the allegations.
After investigations, the VACB had found irregularities in the preparation of the City Development Plan, the allocation of space for setting up an ATM counter in the Corporation Office compound, the selection of beneficiaries and distribution of assistance devices to the handicapped in Kozhikode Corporation, and in the implementation of waste disposal plant at Njeliyanparamba.
A case was also filed based on a complaint regarding the purchase of stationery items for Kozhikode Corporation during 2006 to 2008.
Other cases pertained to irregularities in the utilisation of relief fund, misuse of public money in connection with air travel of councillors, corruption in the handing over of night shelter on lease at Palayam, and purchasing accessories for the computerisation of the Corporation office.
