Vigilance drops probe into Chakkittapara mining row

Kozhikode: The Vigilance has dropped the investigation into the allegations against former Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem in connection with the irregularities in the sanction accorded for iron ore mining at Chakkittapara in the Koyilandi taluk and in Mavoor and Kakkoor.

A report by Vigilance SP R Sugesan saying there is no substance to the allegation that Kareem accepted bribe has reportedly been approved by Vigilance Director Vinson M Paul.

However, the Vigilance has not reported to the government about the decision to drop the query.

The case is pertaining to the sanction accorded for iron ore mining at Chakkittapara in 2009. Kareem, a CPI-M leader and the then Industries Minister, was accused of receiving RS 5 crore as bribe to grant the sanction.

The allegation was raised by one Subair, who was the driver of a relative of the Marxist leader.