No evidence against Mani in bar-bribery case, Vigilance tells Court

Thiruvananthapuram: : Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has submitted a report to the Vigilance Court stating that they could not unearth evidence that K. M. Mani, who was  Finance Minister, had either demanded or received bribes in connection with renewal of bar licences.

The Bureau had done a reinvestigation of the case after the Court refused to accept its closure report and ordered a reinvestigation.

Superintendent of Police Sukesan, who investigated the case, said in his report that there was discrepancy about the time given by one of the bar owners who claimed to have handed over money to Mr. Mani in Palai. Investigation about his location on the basis of mobile tower records showed that bar owner was at Ponkunnam at that time. Other testimonies too could not be substantiated.

He submitted to the proceedings against Mr. Mani might be dropped as further evidence could not be found during reinvestigation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the media that Mr. Mani would return as Finance Minister upon circumstances that led his resignation ceasing to exist. "I have always held he is innocent (in bar bribery case)," he said.