The Hindu : Move to drop case against police official

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Move to drop case against police official

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 24. The Government has decided to drop the corruption case against George Joseph, SP, Special Branch (CID), Pathanamthitta, it is reliably learnt.

The Vigilance had registered a crime case against Mr. Joseph in the Special Court here in November 2001, accusing him of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income while holding the post of Circle Inspector between 1991 and 2000.

The Vigilance is now learnt to have decided to drop the case as a "mistake of fact" as it had come to the conclusion that the assets acquired by the official were in fact less than his likely savings during the period in question.

The investigation had revealed that the official and his family had acquired assets worth Rs. 5.24 lakhs during the period, whereas his likely savings during the same period was assessed to be Rs. 5.77 lakhs.

As the assets acquired were less than the likely savings, the case against the official did not stand. The Vigilance had conducted simultaneous raids on seven premises and establishments of the official on November 16, 2002. According to the report submitted in the court by the Vigilance following the raids, the official had acquired assets worth Rs. 13.21 lakhs in the form of land, buildings and business establishments during the period in question. A total of 94 records had also been seized during the raid.

The Vigilance SP, Thiruvananthapuram, had investigated the case till June 2002 and further investigation was transferred to the Special Cell, Thiruvananthapuram.

On an appeal by the accused official, the High Court had issued a directive to the Vigilance that the investigation be competed by November 2002.

On the basis of a request by the Vigilance, the High Court granted time till June 2003 to complete the investigation.

As many as 112 witnesses, including several police officials, and 69 records had been examined by the Vigilance in connection with the case.

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