Ombudsman to probe role of panchayat officers in MG Sreekumar’s bldg case

Ombudsman to probe role of panchayat officers in MG Sreekumar’s bldg case
Singer MG Sreekumar. Photo: File/Manorama

Muvattupuzha: An ombudsman for local self-governing bodies should probe the complaint against noted Malayalam playback singer MG Sreekumar over the alleged illegal construction near Bolgatty Palace at Mulavukad village in Kochi, the Vigilance has suggested.

The Vigilance directorate made the recommendation along with a report on a quick verification ordered by the Vigilance court.

The Vigilance said that the ombudsman can probe into the alleged corrupt activities of panchayat officers based on Panchayat Raj Act 271 (G). There was no need to file a case and begin investigation, the Vigilance also suggested.

It was in 2010 that Sreekumar bought 11.50 cents at Mulavukad village where he had allegedly constructed a building by violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act and Kerala Panchayat Raj rules.

Kalamassery native Gireesh Babu had pointed out that officials gave permission for the alleged illegal construction in a complaint to the Vigilance court based on which a Vigilance probe was ordered.

Sreekumar is also party to the case along with the then panchayat assistant engineer and panchayat secretary.

After the Muvattupuzha Vigilance court ordered for quick verification, the Vigilance team twice sought more time to submit the report. The report points to failure on the part of the panchayat officials, it was learnt.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.