Anti-corruption bureau quizzes BJP MLA Abdullakutty in connection with Kannur Fort case
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Kannur: The ongoing investigation into the controversial 'Kannur Fort project' case intensifes as BJP's National Vice President, AP Abdullakutty was on Friday questioned by officials of the state's Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).
Abdullakutty was questioned by the officials at his residence in Pallikunnu district of Kannur in connection with the alleged corruption while conducting a light and sound show in Kannur Fort during 2016.
The show was held as part of a development project for St Angelo Fort at Kannur, when he was an MLA during the United Democratic Front (UDF)'s tenure.
According to reports, though Rs 1 crore was allotted for this, no major development happened apart from the light and sound show.
Following the raid, Abdullakutty admitted to the corruption occurred relating to "Light and Sound Show". However, he said his involvement was limited to suggesting of the project to the then UDF government. The former Tourism Minister Anil Kumar is responsible for the fraud. The matter should be thoroughly investigated, Abdullakutty added.
On Friday morning, officials of the Kannur unit of the VACB, headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Babu Perigeth spent an hour at Abdullakutty's house quizzing him over the project that was mooted by him. Though initially, reports stated that a raid was being conducted, later both Abdullakutty and VACB officials came out clarifying that it was not a raid.
A VACB official told media that they recieved information about the discrepancies in the light and sound show conducted and added that a preliminary enquiry is underway.
Abdullakkutty stated that though he had proposed the project and the government had included the project in the then budget, there was no further development.
"Major looting has taken place, but my hands are clean. Though then CM Oommen Chandy inaugurated the project, it was not even implemented for two months..Those behind the scam should be brought out," he alleged, claiming that his role was confined to the proposal.