HC nod for further probe against Kerala minister

Pressure mounted on Kerala’s corruption scam-tainted Finance Minister K M Mani to resign on Monday, after the high court upheld a vigilance court order to conduct a follow-up probe into allegations that the minister accepted bribe in connection with issuance of bar licences.

Hectic discussions involving the Congress and the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders continued in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi even as Mani reiterated that the case involved “conspiracy”. A decision on the matter is expected to be taken at a UDF meeting scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) had approached the high court seeking to quash the vigilance court order that recommended further investigation in the case. Stating that “Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion,” high court judge Kamal Pasha said Mani should act based on his conscience and decide whether he should continue as minister or not.

The court order is another blow to the Congress-led UDF after a loss in the local body election. The Congress leadership’s continued support to Mani has been cited as one of the reasons for UDF’s poll setback. On Monday, more Congress leaders came out demanding the minister’s ouster.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said UDF leaders would be consulted  before a decision is taken.