Vigilance gives clean chit to E P Jayarajan in appointment row

Kochi: Giving a clean chit, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Monday said offences "may not lie" against former Kerala minister E P Jayarajan, who had resigned following allegations of nepotism in appointments when he was in the CPI(M)-led LDF government.

In a report filed before the high court, the VACB said the offence under sections of the PCA "may not lie" against Jayarajan who had resigned as Industries minister last October last year in the wake of row over appointment of his relative in a public sector undertaking in the industries department.

The VACB had last month given a clean chit to Jayarajan, after which the court stayed the probe against him.

In its report, the VACB today said the appointment order to the relative was issued on October 1, 2016 and a note was issued two days later cancelling the appointment.

Thereafter a government order was issued on October 13, cancelling the appointment order, the VACB report said.

"... In view of the discussion with the public prosecutor in charge of the case, it may appear that the offence under section 13 (1)(d)of the PC Act may not lie against the accused by taking note of the cancellation of the appointment order and also in view of the fact that the second accused has not assumed charge, it may appear that the second accused has not gained anything," the report said.

On April 10, Justice P Ubaid, considering the plea filed by Jayarajan seeking quashing of the vigilance probe against him, had clarified that the stay would not be a bar in filing of a closure report.

The vigilance prosecutor had informed the court that no criminal offence was detected and the case against Jayarajan was going to be closed.

Jayarajan, who was the number two in the cabinet, was accused of appointing his nephew, P K Sudheer Nambiar as Managing Director of Kerala Industrial Enterprises Ltd.

The appointment was later quashed by the government.

Jayarajan, who had successfully contested from Mattannur in northern Kannur district, was a member of the legislative assembly from 1991-96.

He was again elected in 2011.

His nephew and son of CPI(M) central committee member P K Sreemathy, Sudheer Nambiar is the second accused in the case.