KOCHI: Approval was granted by the state government for proceeding against former PWD secretary TO Sooraj in Palarivattom flyover corruption case, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has informed the high court.
Responding to a petition filed by Sooraj to quash the FIR and enquiry report, citing the reason that no sanction was obtained from the government for prosecution, VACB said approval was obtained as mandated by law.
In view of the approval granted by the government and the related communication, there cannot be any doubt that approval was obtained, VACB has contended.
Though Sooraj was not named as an accused in the FIR, investigation revealed his involvement and a report was submitted to the vigilance court in August 2019 arraying him as the fourth accused. The investigation agency can conduct a probe against a public servant whose involvement in the crime is revealed during the course of an investigation undertaken with previous approval, a statement filed by VACB to the high court said.
It was the petitioner who ordered for releasing the advance amount to the construction company instead of RBDCK, which was the implementing agency, VACB’s statement said.
Investigation has been completed and as the petitioner was found to have committed offences under Prevention of Corruption Act, sanction has been requested prior to filing of final report, VACB informed the high court.
