The conclusion of the preliminary anti-corruption inquiry against Excise Minister K. Babu has triggered intense speculation over whether or not he will be prosecuted.
The assumption that gained most traction on Wednesday was that the probe has not revealed any “cognisable offence” that necessitated registration of a case against the Minister.
However, officials privy to the inquiry said it was too early to suggest that no FIR would be registered against Mr. Babu.
One said that some of the evidence collected conflicted with the allegations of the complainant (Kerala Bar Hotel Association, KBHA, working president Biju Ramesh).
Bribe ‘admitted’
Mr. Ramesh had “admitted” to having bribed Mr. Babu to roll back a proposed hike in annual bar licence fee last fiscal.
He testified in court that he had personally delivered an instalment of the bribe, collected by the KBHA, to the Minister’s office. He said a friend of his was witness to the transaction.
The fact that the complainant and the “witness” had not retracted their statements could potentially necessitate the registration of a case for a thorough inquiry, an official said.
Mani’s case
In the case against Finance Minister K.M. Mani, the person accused of having delivered the bribe to him had denied the allegation.
However, the Vigilance had deemed it necessary to register a case against Mr. Mani. The decision has remained a sore point within the ruling front ever since.
Officials said investigators in charge of the “quick verification inquiry” against Mr. Babu had reported their findings to their superiors at the Vigilance headquarters here. They said the agency was mindful of the possibility that the court could order a further inquiry if it found the quick verification legally wanting.
The issue has put the spotlight again on Director (VACB) Vinson M. Paul. He would have to decide soon on the future of two important graft inquiries that have relentlessly hounded the ruling front since January.
It appeared the countdown was on, an official said.
Too early to suggest that no FIR will be registered against Minister K. Babu following quick verification inquiry,
say officials
