No need to resign over bar bribery charges: K.Babu

Thiruvananthapuram: Excise Minister K. Babu Tuesday has said there is no need for him to resign over the bar bribery charges levelled by bar owner Biju Ramesh.

“There is no need for me to resign. No case has been filed against me. Biju in his statement before the magistrate did not say that I received the bribes,” Babu told reporters.

It was in October 2014 that Ramesh first revealed that Rs.1 crore was paid to Finance Minister K.M. Mani. The state government then ordered a quick verification by the vigilance department and it was followed by a case registered against Mani.

Ramesh then alleged that it was not only Mani who had taken bribes but there were other ministers also. On March 30, he appeared before a magistrate and gave a statement.

A 30-page testimony by Ramesh that says Babu was given Rs.10 crore found its way to the hands of the media.