Businessman Baburam, whose house was raided by vigilance on Saturday.Kochi: The businessmen who found themselves embroiled in a corruption case along with former Kerala excise minister K Babu said they had no business ties with the Congress leader. Realtor Baburam and bakery owner Mohanan denied the allegation that they were Babu’s benami partners.
'It's an act of vengeance': K Babu cries foul as vigilance raids his house in assets case
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Saturday conducted raids at the residences of Babu, his two daughters and these businessmen in a disproportionate assets case. The officials also seized Rs 8 lakh – Rs 1.5 lakh from Babu's house and Rs 6.5 lakh from the house of Mohanan. However, it is not yet confirmed whether this sum is part of the illegal assets.
Baburam moved to Kochi from Kayamkulam in 2004. A former district secretary of the Youth Congress in Alappuzha, Baburam said he had known Babu for years but had not done business with him. He said Babu used his car sometimes.
Mohanan, a Kannur native, set up Royal Bakers in Kochi about 25 years ago. He said he knew Babu as the local legislator. Babu had inaugurated some of his bakeries, Mohanan said.
The businessmen said they were not worried about the vigilance probe and would offer full cooperation to the investigators. The bureau has filed an FIR in the court naming Baburam and Mohanan as co-accused.
