ALAPPUZHA: The former Minister K.C. Venugopal, MLA, has said that the credentials of the official entrusted with the investigation in Kareelakkulangara spirit seizure case-attack on the Excise team are poor.

At a press conference here, Mr. Venugopal said the Excise Circle Inspector who was entrusted with the investigation had been under suspension for several years in connection with a `masappadi' (monthly acceptance of bribe) case.

He said the CPI(M)'s vested interest in the case had been exposed by entrusting the officer with the investigation.

He said the FIR registered by the investigation team in the case had noted that the spirit arrived from Bangalore.

But the investigating team was not trying to find the buyer for whom the spirit had been brought to Kareelakkulangara, said Mr. Venugopal.

He said though the investigating team was in possession of a mobile phone, belonging to one of the main accused, it was not investigating the details of the calls made from the phone and the calls received.

Mr. Venugopal said the Excise investigating team had taken possession of the phone from the police hastily and the move had ulterior motives.

Evidence

Mr. Venugopal said the Excise team had also recovered evidence in the form of a sheet of paper from Harikumar, the first accused in the case.

However, it was not being followed up. If the investigation was made on the basis of the details in the paper, it would bring to light the alleged involvement of many senior CPI(M) leaders, he said.

He said that Ajikumar, the main culprit behind the attack on the Excise team, was still at large.

He warned that the Congress would intensify the agitation in the coming days if the case were not handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

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