HC: Why no bribery case against Arun?

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked why a case has not been registered so far against V A Arunkumar, son of Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, based on the allegations raised by godman Santhosh Madhavan who is in jail. The court asked why the three-member Special Investigation Team failed to register a case against Arun kumar though 25 people were questioned and some documents seized. It asked the state to file its reply before December 22.A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon passed the order when a petition filed by advocate V K Raju, who sought a detailed inquiry into the complaint made by Santhosh Madhavan against Arunkumar, came up for hearing. Santhosh Madhavan had alleged that he paid  `70 lakh to Arunkumar for securing necessary orders to fill around 200 acres of paddyfield at Vadayar in Kottayam. Advocate-General K P Dandapani submitted that the statements of 25 witnesses were recorded and eight documents seized.The AG added that a preliminary inquiry was going on and the Vigilance may frame charges against Arun kumar as soon as  enough materials were collected. However, the court opined that the delay may lead to destruction of evidence.