The Kerala High Court on Monday closed a petition seeking a directive for a court monitored investigation into the bar bribery case against Finance Minister K.M. Mani in view of the fact that a final report has already been filed before the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram.
Justice Alexander Thomas while closing the petition said that as the investigation had been completed and a final report filed, it was now for the Vigilance court to consider the plea. The Vigilance court could proceed in accordance with the law. The petition was filed by the All Kerala Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Protection Council president Issac Varghese.
The petitioner contended that in order to inspire public confidence and faith in the investigation system, the court had to monitor the investigation. In fact, the investigating officer had examined as many as 350 witnesses and seized several documents.
Amblin, a prime witness in the case was subject to polygraph test .However, the investigating officer had not conducted any investigation on this count. Nor he had collected the bank account details of the accused minister.
The petitioner pointed out that the Additional Director General of Police who was supervising the case had made a revelation that there were several obstructions during the investigation. Therefore, a court monitored investigation was essential in the case.
