Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan has threatened to move court against the decision of the Vigilance Director Vincent M. Paul not to file a chargesheet against Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the bar bribery case.
Terming Mr. Paul’s decision a challenge to the justice system, Mr. Achuthanandan accused him of succumbing to political pressure.
“By doing so, he has cast a slur on investigating agencies across the country,” he told the media here on Sunday.
the decision of Mr. Paul to seek legal advice from former Additional Solicitor General Nageswara Rao, he said neither the Vigilance manual nor the rules on appointment of government counsel gave him the right to do so.
“On whose advice did Mr. Paul choose to consult Mr. Rao? Who will foot the bill for the legal advice?” He observed that Mr. Paul’s stand assumed significance in the light of the High Court order appointing two lawyers as amicus curiae to submit recommendations on revamping the Vigilance department.
“The court had issued the order after it was convinced that the Vigilance probe into the bar bribery case was not impartial or transparent”.
He said his initial demand for a CBI investigation into the bar bribery scam had become more relevant with the decision of the Vigilance Director. Mr. Achuthanandan said the verdict of the Aruvikkara by-election would provide a fresh mandate for the LDF to intensify the fight against corruption.
BJP stance
Bharatiya Janata Party State president V. Muralidharan has said Mr. Paul had taken the decision not to proceed against Mr. Mani as part of a script prepared by the State government.
