The corruption charge under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act does not lie against former Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan and his relative in view of the cancellation of the order appointing his relative as managing director of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises, according to a report filed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in the Kerala High Court
The VACB submitted in its report that on a conscious reading of the interim orders of the High Court regarding the ingredients of the offence specifically under Section 13(1)(d)(ii) of the PC Act and in view of the discussion with the public prosecutor in charge of the case, “it may appear that the offence under Section 13(1)(d) may not lie against” Mr. Jayarajan in view of the cancellation of the appointment order. The court had earlier directed the investigation officer to report as to what exactly was the monetary benefits or valuable thing obtained by the accused. The report was filed in response to a petition filed by Mr. Jayarajan challenging an FIR filed against him under the provisions of the PC Act.
The Vigilance case was that P.K. Sudheer, relative of Mr. Jayarajan, was appointed KSIE managing director by suppressing the recommendation of the Restructuring Internal Audit Board (RIAB) which had forwarded the names of two eligible candidates for the post and violating the selection procedure.
