Vigilance to probe 'irregularities' in Malabar Cements deal

Palakkad, May 27 (UNI) The Vigilance Department today registered a case against nine people, including former Kerala Chief Secretary John Mathai, in connection with alleged irregularities in importing lime stone for state-owned Malabar Cements, near here.

A team, led by Vigilance Dy SP Safiyulla Sayed, had started investigation into the alleged corruption, which caused a loss of Rs 27 lakh to the company.

According to sources, former Malabar Cements Managing Director S S Money, former General Manager Muraleedharan Nair, Geologist Udayakanthi, Chief Chemist Ananthakumar and Cresent Mines owner Muhammed Feroze were said to be the first five accused in the charge sheet.

Former Malabar Cements Chairman and Board member John Mathai, Board members N Krishnakumar, T Padmanabhan Nair and Jayaprakash were the other accused in the case.

The accused had imported substandard lime stone from Cresent Mines at Ariyallur, alllegedly violating all norms, during 2003-2006.

The Vigilance, in its preliminary investigation, had found that some irregularities had taken place in the deal, the sources said.

UNI XR CGV Mir HS2109