V. Muraleedharan presses for probe against politicians' kin

Kozhikode: Former state BJP President V. Muraleedharan, who has been seeking a probe into the sources of income of children of top state politicians, on Monday deposed before the Vigilance Bureau.

The politicians whose children's incomes he has raised doubts about include Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

In a statement issued soon after he deposed, Muraleedharan said that since no one had raised the issue, he decided to write to the Vigilance Bureau headed by DGP Jacob Thomas that is tasked with investigating graft.

"I deposed today before the Vigilance officials here at Kozhikode and was with them for 90 minutes. Among the demands that I have made is a probe into the dealings of the children of Balakrishnan, who run a chain of shops in the state; the source of funds as to how Vijayan's son studied at the Birmingham University at a cost of Rs 4.2 million; and two grandchildren of Achuthanandan studying medicine in the state after getting admission in the management quota. This admission must have been secured after paying hefty fees. One wishes to know the source of fund for this," said Muraleedharan.

He also stated that he has brought to the attention of the Vigilance Bureau the purchase of a private hospital in the state capital by Congress legislator and former Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar.

"I will continue my work and will approach the central agencies to bring it to their attention as well. I invite people to share with me any information they might have," said Muraleedharan.