Bar bribery case: HC closes proceedings on petition

Kochi: The High Court Monday closed the proceedings on a petition seeking a High Court-monitored probe into the bar bribery case allegedly involving State Finance Minister K M Mani.

When the matter was taken up, Advocate General K P Dandapani informed the court that the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau, which probed the case, has filed a final report before the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram.

Considering this aspect, Justice Alexander Thomas said there is no scope for considering the prayers made in the petition.

The petition was filed by All Kerala Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Protection Council, Palakkad.

Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December last year in connection with the allegations that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.

The allegation was levelled by Biju Ramesh, working President of Kerala bar hotel owners association.