Kerala: Vigilance probe into charges on KPCC chief

Thiruvananthapuram, July 16: Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today asked the Vigilance department to inquire into the allegation that Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala accepted Rs ten crore during the tenure of the previous Congress-led government to settle the Kanichukulangara fake accident Case.

Replying to a submission by Mr P Jayarajan of the CPI(M), the minister said the allegations against Mr Chennithala that he accepted Rs 50 lakh in cash from the Himalaya group of Companies, whose managing director was an accused in the fake accident case.

The group also arranged money for the purchase of 45.36 acre land in Thirunelveli at a cost of Rs eight crore and reached an agreement with another party to hand over a Rs 1.40 crore worth property at Kochi.

Meanwhile, the Opposition alleged the person who made the allegations for the second time had given a written apology to Mr Chennithala when he raised the issue first.

UNI