Kochi: The noose is likely tightening around former PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju over the Palarivattom flyover scam.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has informed the Kerala High Court that former PWD Secretary T O Sooraj reiterated the involvement of Ebrahim Kunju in ensuring that an advance amount be paid to the contractor for the flyover work.
Though there were no provisions in the agreement, an amount of Rs 8.25 crore was paid as advance to the company with a meagre interest of seven per cent. This resulted in a yearly loss of Rs 57 lakh to the State government, Vigilance argued.
Sooraj also pointed out that there were ulterior motives behind the intervention of Ebrahim Kunju.
When the Vigilance questioned Sooraj again in the jail after obtaining the permission of the court, he had repeated his allegations. He testified before the court, giving credentials to his earlier statement on the issue.
Land deals
Vigilance also informed the court that Sooraj had done land transactions worth Rs 2 crore in the name of his son from wealth amassed through illegal sources.
Vigilance informed the court that Sooraj had amassed wealth over his proven sources of income during the period from 2012 to 2014. Advances to the builder was paid on July 22, 2014. Sooraj had purchased 6.68 ar land in Edappally South Village on October 1. The price mentioned in the deed was Rs 1.04 crore. However, Sooraj admitted that the money paid was Rs 3.30 crore. He also admitted that he paid the money, Vigilance informed the court.
There are clear evidences that proved the role of Sooraj in the case. The role of the minister in the case was under investigation. More time was needed for ascertaining the truth, Vigilance informed the court.
Vigilance DySP R Ashokkumar made these statements at the court during the hearing on Sooraj's petition seeking bail.
Vigilance submitted before the court that if Sooraj was granted bail he would influence or threaten witnesses and destroy evidences.
The hearing on the petition will continue.
In public
While being brought to the court for the hearing, Sooraj made some revelations to the media.
The minister had asked him to pay the advance without seeking any interest, the former IAS official said, while also asserting that it was he who insisted on levying an interest of seven percent for the advance amount.
