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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 (IANS) Former Kerala police chief TP Senkumar, in a strongly worded video shared on social media on Monday, accused state Finance Minister KN Balagopal of violating his oath of office by allegedly suppressing the investigation into financial irregularities involving journalist Siddique Kappan and others.
Senkumar said that he has all the information regarding the violation.
Senkumar said the state government had sanctioned Rs 25 lakh to the Delhi chapter of Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) for the construction of a press club office in Delhi when Kappan was the then secretary of the union.
The alleged abuse reportedly took place before Kappan’s arrest by Uttar Pradesh Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in October 2020.
The report by the Deputy Director of the Information and Public Relations Department in New Delhi found that the funds were not used for their approved purpose.
Instead, some of the money was allegedly diverted to personal accounts, including Rs 45,000 withdrawn directly by Kappan, bank records show.
The report also said that a part of the government grant was deposited in fixed deposits to generate interest, with no supporting bills or vouchers provided.
Following the findings, the Information and Public Relations Department Inspection and Monitoring Committee confirmed the irregularities, and the case was referred for further action.
A subsequent audit by the Accountant General revealed serious lapses in the utilization of funds by press clubs, prompting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to order a probe by the inspection wing of the Finance Department.
In September 2022, the inspection wing submitted a detailed report citing serious financial misconduct in March 2023.
According to Senkumar, this happened when Finance Minister Balagopal allegedly intervened, called the investigation file and buried it instead of forwarding it to the Vigilance and Information and Public Relations Department for further action.
Senkumar alleges that the minister’s actions were aimed at protecting journalists and thus left finance department officials legally vulnerable and professionally compromised.
–IANS
SG/KHz