Ordering a CBI probe into alleged land grabbing by chief minister Oommen Chandy's former gunman and aide Salim Raj, the Kerala high court on Friday didn't mince words in holding Chandy accountable for criminal activities of some of his erstwhile personal staff, saying, "the chief minister is answerable to the state".
Noting that members of the chief minister's personal staff are involved in multiple criminal cases, including land grabbing and in cheating scores of people in the Solar Scam, Justice Harun ul-Rashid in his judgment said: "The chief minister's office should be a model institution serving the people of the state.
The above incidents have raised serious questions on the functioning of the chief minister's office."
The court was considering petitions filed by A K Shareefa of Kalamassery and Premchand R Nair of Kadakampally alleging that property worth over Rs 275 crore was seized by Salim Raj and his relatives in connivance with revenue officials.
Justifying the need for a CBI probe, HC held: "Prima facie evidence of the presence of unscrupulous elements among the personal staff in the chief minister's office and the associated criminal activities in these cases call for a thorough and independent investigation into the crime and the associated activities involving personal staff in the chief minister's office."
The court also criticised the chief minister , he is responsible for what happens in his office.
“The Chief Minster should explain to the people what happens in his office. He is responsible for appointing dishonest persons as his staff members,” the court said.
