Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) in Kerala has ordered a quick verification against state industries minister E.P. Jayarajan who is facing charges of nepotism.
Vigilance director Jacob Thomas issued the order on Thursday, Manorama News reported. The unit 2 of the VACB's special investigation team in Thiruvananthapuram has been assigned to conduct the preliminary probe.
DGP Jacob Thomas issued the order after legal experts discussed the matter with him twice at the agency's headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The VACB has received legal advice that a case can be registered against Jayarajan under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.
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Earlier in the day, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Jacob Thomas also held discussions on the issue at the former's official house.
Jayarajan had appointed his nephew P. K. Sudheer, who is the son of Kannur MP P. K. Sreemathy, as the managing director of Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd early this month.
However, when the matter became controversial, the appointment was cancelled by the government.
Deepthi Nishad, another close relative of Jayarajan, on Wednesday resigned as the general manager of Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd in Kannur.
It has been reported that Jayarajan has expressed his willingness to resign as minister in the wake of the controversies.