Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has ordered a Vigilance inquiry into the allegations against P.V. Sreenijin, son-in-law of former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, that he acquired wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Earlier in the day, Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar, who is also Chief Commissioner of Sabarimala, forwarded the file comprising details of the case to the Home Minister, before leaving for Sabarimala to oversee the arrangements for the Makaravilakku festival. The file was forwarded to the Home Minister's office after eliciting legal opinion. Further action will be initiated by the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director.
Mr. Sreenijin, a former State vice-president of the Youth Congress, had resigned from the organisation in the wake of the charges raised against him. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan had earlier directed the Home Minister to look into the case on the basis of a private complaint.
The Income Tax Department also has started an inquiry into the charges. Income Tax Department sources said the ambit of the probe and the course of action would be determined in due course.
Official sources said that on establishing the allegations, action can be taken against Mr. Sreenijin under Section 8 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. These provisions say that action can be taken for gratification by corrupt or illegal means to influence a public servant. Taking gratification for exercise of personal influence with a public servant is also a punishable offence. The accused need not be a public man for invoking such provisions, sources said.
