Kerala CM's son threatens to sue Cong leader over bribe charge

Thiruvananathapuram, Feb 22: Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan's son VA Arun Kumar today sent a legal notice to Congress leader MM Hassan and pro-Congress channel

for alleging him of receiving money from ''sandalwood mafia'' for return of favours.

In his notice, Kumar said the allegation amounted to defaming him and his father and he would initiate legal proceedings, if it was not withdrawn, sources close to the Chief Minister's son said.

Kumar sent the notice after the channel carried a report claiming that he had received money from private sandalwood factory owners, when his father was the Leader of the Opposition.

The channel report claimed the money was given to Kumar for allegedly prevailing upon Achuthanandan to slow down the campaign, he spearheaded against the "sandalwood mafia."

State Congress spokesman Hassan, had made similar charges against Kumar at a press meet today.

Earlier, the Kerala Assembly witnessed uproar over the lottery issue. Opposition UDF members made charges against Kumar for scuttling CBI probe into the Bhutan lottery case.

Congress MLA V D Sateeshan alleged that the proposed CBI probe into the Bhutan lottery case was scuttled by the intervention of Kumar.

PTI