KOCHI/THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Decks have been cleared for a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the sale of other state lott..
KOCHI/THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Decks have been cleared for a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the sale of other state lotteries in the state. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition seeking a CBI inquiry into the scam after recording the submission by Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramaniam that the CBI has been given instructions to initiate proper action in the scam, despite the shortcomings in the procedure.
The petition was filed by V D Satheesan, MLA. In the petition, he alleged that the state government did not take any steps on the report filed by the Vigilance. The Vigilance had recommended steps to prohibit Bhutan and Sikkim lottery as they were being operated without following the provisions under the Lotteries Regulation Act.
"The Union Home Ministry had asked the state to take steps against otherstate lotteries, but no action was taken," Satheesan alleged in the petition.He also relied on the same Vigilance inquiry report recommending government steps against otherstate lotteries."It is also to be noted that both petitions were filed just before the Assembly election process commenced. Though the petitions have political overtones and political motivation to an extent, the issue is a matter of public interest,' the court observed.Former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan had written letters to the Union Home Ministry requesting to initiate a CBI probe into the lottery irregularities."Though it is premature to make a comment at this point of time, the Thiruvananthapuram CBI unit is likely to probe the case. However, it is up to the Zonal Director in Chennai to decide," the sources added.The timing could not be more apt. The High Court order has been welcomed by the LDF and UDF as it is the time of power transition in the state.
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