KANNUR : After kicking up controversy surrounding pandemic relief, MLA KM Shaji is back in spotlight, this time for bribery charges to the tune of Rs 25 lakh slapped by State Vigilance. The case, a story of opportunistic deceit, has its basis on a complaint lodged with the Vigilance by CPI(M) Kannur Area Secretary and Panchayat President Kutuvan Padmanabhan. It stated that MLA Shaji accepted Rs 25 lakh in bribe promised to another group that helped a private school in Kannur expand its courses to Plus-Two grades.
The Complaint
In September of 2017, Kutuvan submitted a detailed complaint to the Chief Minister complete with documental evidence of the alleged bribe. A probe followed under directions from Vigilance Director and officials unearthed proof of Rs 25 lakh paid in bribe to KM Shaji by the school, a disclosure officials made at Vigilance court in Thalassery.
Long-drawn Efforts
For 12 long years, the Azhikode School had tried hard to be able to expand itself into a Higher Secondary School with Plus Two courses. Then in 2013, the school management approached Muslim League Puthupara branch to have it recommend and obtain permission for the courses from then Education Minister. The branch agreed on condition that once the permission was through, an amount equal to donation against one job post at the new Plus Two section, should be paid at the party office, The school management agreed.
Betrayal
The League men did their part and in 2014 Azhikode school transformed into Higher Secondary School with its newly started Plus Two classes. However there was a snag. Once having got what it always wanted, the school was in no mood to keep its word on the agreed donation Eventually, the men from the League office, made several rounds of the school on and off trying to get management make good of its promise.
Scent of Opportunity
Meanwhile, MLA KM Shaji learnt of the ongoings and intervened and for reasons then unknown, turned League men away from approaching the school any more. Time went by and one day, hard up for money to build party office, the League members met with the management once more demanding the longstanding promised sum. But they were in for a surprise. KM Shaji had been paid Rs 25 lakh in the matter, the management told the party men.
Vigilance Case
Kannur DySP V Madhusudhan, in charge of the probe, has invoked Sec 13(1) d of Prevention of Corruption Act read with Sec 13(2) in charges against the KM Shaji in the FIR.
In their probe, Vigilance took down testimony from the person who stood witness to the transaction between Azhikode school management and KM Shaji. Also an examination of school’s accounts revealed a sum of Rs 25 lakh on the expenditure side marked as payment to MLA Shaji.
The govt on Friday lend its nod for further investigations, which DySP Madusudhan said will commence shortly.
