Truth prevails, after years of political witch-hunt: V.S. Sivakumar

Former Minister and Congress leader V.S. Sivakumar has said that truth has finally prevailed after the Vigilance investigation into a disproportionate assets case gave him a clean chit.

Among the allegations was that he had acquired a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, named S.K. Hospital, in a benami name

He stated that the latest Vigilance report is a clear rejoinder to what he alleged was the years of politically motivated attempts by the Left government to target him.

The report submitted by the Vigilance to the government on Monday had given Mr. Sivakumar a clean chit, saying that he had not amassed any disproportionate assets. His income and his wife’s properties alone comprise his assets, the report said.

Mr. Sivakumar said that the case was initiated on the basis of an anonymous petition filed under a false name with the sole intention of tarnishing his political career and public image as people’s servant. He alleged that even his family was dragged into unnecessary controversies as part of this effort to ‘fix” him.

He alleged that multiple attempts were made to politically persecute him, the latest being a statement made by the Health Minister Veena George on the floor of the Assembly.

During an adjournment motion discussion, Ms. George had stated that Mr. Sivakumar had expanded the department after purchasing a private hospital, an allegation which was totally irresponsible and which was clearly aimed at deflecting attention from her own shortcomings, Mr. Sivakumar said.

He demanded that the Minister withdraw her remarks and issue an apology.

Mr. Sivakumar pointed out that the disproportionate assets case against him was initiated by the LDF government in 2016. A preliminary inquiry completed in 2018 had not found any benami transactions or evidence of illicit accumulation of wealth. Even so, an FIR was registered against him in 2020, which he said was perfectly timed, just ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections.

He said that according to the Vigilance manual, an FIR can be registered only if any material evidence is found in the preliminary enquiry. The enquiry in this case had no recommendation that an FIR be filed. Thus the filing of the FIR against him was in violation of all established procedures, Mr. Sivakumar said.

He alleged that there was a clear attempt to prolong the case till 2026 Assembly elections, which was why he had filed a case in the Kerala High Court, demanding an early disposal of the case.

Even after the case was filed before the High Court, the government tried its best to prolong the case for over one-and-a-half years citing various reasons.

The Vigilance submitted the report on Monday following the High Court’s final directive to complete the investigation and to file the report.

Mr. Sivakumar said that he had approached the High Court because he was fully confident that truth will always prevail.

Mr. Sivakumar alleged that the concerted attempt was to stamp him as a corrupt politician and thus mentally harass him and his family.

Mr. Sivakumar said that he has filed a defamation suit in the Thiruvananthapuram Sub Court seeking ₹50 lakh in damages against those who had deliberately launched false propaganda against him through social media. He said that he has initiated criminal proceedings in the Magistrate Court as well.