The High Court on Wednesday directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to complete further probe in the bar bribery case against former Finance Minister K.M. Mani and file the final report before the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance court in 45 days.
The court passed the order on a petition filed by Mr. Mani challenging an order of the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance court allowing the VACB to conduct further investigation into the allegation of bribery in the renewal of bar licences. When the petition was taken up for hearing, the senior government pleader submitted a report on the progress of the investigation in a sealed cover before the court.
The court in December had directed the Vigilance to complete the investigation in a month. When the petition came up for hearing on Wednesday, the government pleader sought more time to complete the probe and file the final report.
Mani's contention
In his petition, Mr. Mani contended that the Vigilance could not conduct further investigation in a case in which it had earlier filed the final report saying no offence had been made out against him. The VACB could conduct further investigation in a case only if a competent court had quashed the Vigilance court order accepting the final report filed in the case. De novo investigation or reinvestigation could be possible only on orders of constitutional courts such as High Courts.
The permission for further probe was granted by the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance court on a petition filed by Superintendent of Police R. Sukesan, who had earlier investigated the case.
