Opposition cries foul over Kerala ex-Minister's arrest

KOCHI: The Congress-led United Democratic Front, the principal opposition in Kerala, on Wednesday cried foul in the manner in which the state Vigilance Department arrested the former PWD Minister and senior legislator of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) V.K. Ebrahim Kunju in the Palarivattom flyover collapse case. He was arrested from the hospital on Wednesday where he had been admitted a day earlier.

Earlier in the day, the Vigilance department sleuths raided Kunju's house. His wife informed them that he was admitted in a private hospital, but unconvinced by her reply, the police entered the house and searched the house.

Later, the sleuths reached the private hospital where he was undergoing treatment and recorded his arrest.

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy under whose tenure the construction of the controversial flyover started said, "This is nothing but politically motivated as all know that the Vijayan government is cornered not just on allegations, but on facts. It was under my tenure that 70 per cent of the work on this flyover was completed and 30 per cent of the work was done under this government and when they inaugurated it, they claimed it as their achievement," said Chandy.

"This government is also responsible as the first signs of problems started when the surfaced road on top of the bridge came out. It was a team of IIT Chennai engineers who studied the bridge and they recommended a load test. But the Pinarayi Vijayan government went in appeal to the apex court against conducting this test and went ahead for rebuilding the bridge. "What's baffling is the very same company which built this bridge has been given over Rs 1,000 crore work in other parts of the state. Why did this government not blacklist this company? Also Kunju is being charged because he released mobilisation advance to the company, which is a normal procedure done by all," added Chandy. (IANS)

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