Land scam: FIR against V S Achuthanandan

An FIR has been registered against former Kerala chief minister and Leader of Opposition V S Achuthanandan by the Kasargod Vigilance unit for alleged irregularities in sanctioning land to his relative and ex-serviceman T K Soman, during his tenure as chief minister.

The case against V S Achuthanandan is registered under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Reacting sharply to the move Achuthanandan said, “I will face the case legally and politically.The Oommen Chandy government is ruling the state with six corrupt ministers in the Cabinet. The director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is a retired person. Kunhalikutty had appointed him to derail the probe in the case, after offering bribe. Balakrishna Pillai, Kunhalikutty and Tomin J Tachankary are all included in the nexus.”

In the wake of corruption allegations, Achuthanandan has sought the permission of CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat to quit the post of Leader of the Opposition.

According to reports, Karat has advised the former chief minister not to act in haste.

Senior party leader Sitaram Yechuri said there is no need for VS to quit.

Meanwhile, speaking at a party district meet in Kannur on Friday, Kerala CPI(M) secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said ruling party asking for Achuthanandan's resignation is completely unjustified.

“What rights ruling party has to ask for resignation? Vigilance case is going on against Chief Minister and a few ministers. Those who have cases were inducted into the ministry. Don’t threaten us citing cases,” Pinarayi added.

Vigilance Director Venugopalan Nair had given permission to file charges against VS and seven others after a preliminary probe conducted into the land deal.

The names include V.S.Achuthanandan, K.P.Rajendran, former revenue minister, K.R.Muralidharan, Land Revenue Commissioner, Sheila    Thomas, then principal secretay of VS,  T.K.Soman, who had received the land, Krishnankutty, Anand Singh, Kasargod District Collectors and Suresh, the personal assistant of VS.