Excise Minister Babu will find the going tough

Excise Minister of Kerala K. Babu’s continuation in office is increasingly becoming untenable after resignation of Finance Minister K. M. Mani.

Mr. Mani has already indicated that the case against Mr. Babu is more serious than the one against him. However,  in the case of Mr. Mani, the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau has done a quick verification of allegations raised by Bar Hotel Owners Association leader Biju Ramesh and the High Court has made observations against him.

In the case of Mr. Babu, the investigations did not proceed that far. Kerala Congress leaders alleged that the Vigilance adopted double standards in this respect and silently shelved investigations against him.

Mr. Mani has already noted that the evidence against him was hearsay. He is implying that the testimony of Biju Ramesh against him did not have much weight legally as Mr. Ramesh was talking about others having paid bribes to him. However, the Vigilance has corroborated part of the allegations through a direct witness statement by Mr. Ramesh’s driver.

Where the two cases differ significantly is in the statement of Mr. Ramesh that Mr. Babu had demanded the bribe to get the bar licence fees reduced from Rs.50 lakh to Rs 23 lakhs. They paid the bribe to get a favour. (In the case of Mr. Mani, the alleged bribe was for renewing licences of ‘substandard’ bars which bar owners failed to get).

Mr. Ramesh is proposing to approach the court for a proper investigation of the case. His prayer is likely to be granted, weakening the position of Mr. Babu. Politically, Mr. Babu is facing an awkward situation following resignation of Mr. Mani.

In case of Mr. Babu also, the observation of the High Court quoting Shakespearean maxim that Ceasar’s wife should be above suspicion applies. There could be suspicion in the minds of people that the investigation did not and would not proceed properly when he continues to be in office.

That aside, in cases of both Mr. Mani and Mr. Babu, more proof will be needed to obtain convictions. Whether the Vigilance Bureau will be able to secure such evidence is a million dollar question.