Inquiry into complaints on Kunhalikutty begins

KOZHIKODE:(KERALA): The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Special Cell has begun inquiry proceedings on the complaint against Muslim League leader and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty that he has amassed wealth through unauthorised means.The probe was recommended during the period of the previous LDF government by the then Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan based on the complaint filed by National Secular Conference state secretary N K Abdul Aziz around three years ago. As the first step of the investigation, the Vigilance DySP has directed the petitioner to give the statement and hand over the evidence in his custody on August 17.According to VACB Special Cell SP A Divakaran, the probe will be conducted by DySP T R Prakash.In the petition, Aziz alleged that Kunhalikutty has made illegal land dealings in five districts and invested unauthorised earnings in a Rs 400 crore-worth business venture abroad.Apart from Kunhalikutty, the petitioner demands detailed probe into the unauthorised wealth amassed by Congress leader and Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed, Muslim League leaders E T Mohammed Basheer and Cherkkalam Abdulla. Abdul Aziz, when contacted, said the complaint was given following a war of words between the UDF leaders three years ago when he was the state president of the National Youth League.“It was Aryadan Mohammed who first made a public statement that the unauthorised earnings of Muslim League leaders should be probed.The Muslim League leaders, in reply, said such an enquiry had to be conducted against Congress leaders as well. Later, the then Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan maintained that probe would be undertaken if there was a complaint against leaders in this regard. Later, I lodged a complaint,” he said.