THIRUVANANTHPURAM: The Kerala Lokayukta has admitted a complaint alleging misuse of Chief Minister’s
Distress Relief Fund and issued notice to Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers on it. A full bench comprising Lokayukta Justice Pius C Kuriakose, and Upa-lokayuktas Justices K P Balachandran and A K Basheer, Tuesday decided to admit a complaint filed by one R S Sashi Kumar.
The bench was constituted after there was a difference of opinion among the Lokayukta and one of the Upa-lokayuktas regarding the jurisdiction of the agency to probe disbursement of assistance from CMDRF, an official statement said here. The bench decided that the complaint was maintainable before the Lokayukta and ordered notice to the respondents — Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other state ministers.While admitting the complaint, the Lokayukta clarified in the order that he had not found any of the party guilty of the allegations levelled against them.
He said that it was only found that there was warrant for admitting the complaint and conducting an investigation whether anybody is guilty and whether any declaration under relevant section of the law is liable to be issued in respect of any of the respondents. The case has been posted for a detailed hearing on February 15, the statement said. (PTI)
