Thiruvananthapuram: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) gave a clean chit to Congress leader V S Sivakumar in a disproportionate assets case, concluding that he did not amass wealth beyond his known sources of income. In its final report submitted to the state govt, the vigilance said the assets held by Sivakumar were commensurate with his income during his tenure as a minister and included only his personal income and properties owned by his wife. The vigilance probe found no evidence to substantiate the allegation that Sivakumar acquired illegal wealth either directly or through benami arrangements while he was a minister in the Oommen Chandy-led UDF govt. The report stated that the former minister’s assets matched his lawful earnings during the relevant period and that he was not in possession of any disproportionate assets.However, the vigilance report flagged adverse findings against three persons close to Sivakumar N S Harikumar, M Rajendran and his driver Shyju Haran. Vigilance said the three allegedly amassed assets during the period when Sivakumar was a minister. The bureau recommended a probe by the income tax department against them based on its findings.The disproportionate assets case alleged that Sivakumar accumulated wealth exceeding his known sources of income during his tenure in the UDF govt, both directly and through benami holders. The allegations included claims that there was a substantial increase in his assets during his term as health minister and that he acquired ownership of a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram through benami arrangements. The case was registered by the special cell of the VACB in Feb 2020 against Sivakumar and three others in connection with the alleged amassment of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income while he was a minister in the last UDF cabinet. The vigilance booked Sivakumar, M Rajendran, Shyju Haran and N Harikumar under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120 of the Indian Penal Code.Under Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, a public servant found guilty of criminal misconduct is punishable with imprisonment ranging from a minimum of one year to a maximum of seven years, along with a fine. Section 13(1)(d) defines criminal misconduct as obtaining pecuniary advantage by corrupt or illegal means or by abusing one’s official position.The VACB launched a preliminary inquiry against Sivakumar in 2016 and later submitted a report to the govt stating that he allegedly acquired assets beyond his known sources of income and that a detailed investigation was warranted.
