Former Kerala minister under cloud after raid in his secretary's house
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Putting former Minister and senior Congress leader CN Balakrishnan under cloud, a Vigilance raid found that his former private secretary amassed wealth disproportionate to his income.
Vigilance sleuths on Thursday raided the residence of Joseph Lijo, private secretary of former Cooperatives Minister and senior Congress leader C. N. Balakrishnan following allegations that he had amassed disproportionate assets. Vigilance team is known to have found evidence against the Lijo and his family members.
A case has been filed against Lijo after it was found that his assets doubled during the United Democratic Front (UDF) ministry. There are allegations that he also purchased land at three locations in Thrissur worth Rs 1 crore.
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The raid at Lijo's home in Thrissur, led by Ernakulam Vigilance Special squad C. I. Benny Jacob, began early on Thursday. The raid comes in the backdrop of the vigilance quick verification against Balakrishnan ordered by the Thrissur Vigilance Court on charges of corruption.
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Meanwhile, responding to the development, Balakrishnan distanced himself said Lijo and said that the latter was only one among his 35 staff members. If Lijo had committed something wrong, he must be ready to face the punishment, the Congress leader said.
