Inquiry report giving clean chit to ADGP Ajith Kumar binned by Vigilance court
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance Special Court here has rejected the agency’s report that cleared the senior officer of allegations of amassing wealth and abusing his position in a setback for the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) and ADGP M R Ajith Kumar.
The verdict came in response to a petition by lawyer Neyyattinkara P. Nagaraj, who sought to overturn the clean chit. The court noted that Nagaraj had presented documents indicating prima facie merit in his complaint and criticised the Vigilance team for failing to conduct an impartial investigation. It has decided to carry out its own probe, directing Nagaraj to record his statement on August 30, followed by witness testimonies, TNIE reported.
Earlier, the VACB had conducted a preliminary inquiry and concluded that Ajith Kumar had not committed any cognizable offence, recommending no further action. However, Nagaraj alleged the inquiry was biased, carried out by officers junior to the ADGP, and failed to verify crucial documents.
The allegations stem from Ajith Kumar’s purchase of land in Kowdiar and a flat in Pattom, which drew scrutiny after former Nilambur legislator P. V. Anvar accused him of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known income.