Internal Probe Finds Kerala BJP Leader Took Rs 5.60 Crore Bribe Promising The Status Of Medical College

The Kerala BJP expelled a party leader, RS Vinod, for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 5.6 crore from a Delhi businessman Satish Nair, promising to help a hospital in Varkala obtain medical college status from Medical Council of India (MCI) on 20 July, as reported by Hindustan Times.

This incident came out in broad daylight when a probe conducted by the Kerala BJP party was brought in public by the media. Initially, state BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan had denied the existence of such an investigation. But he was eventually forced to expel the accused who was also the state cooperative cell convenor.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Rajashekharan said, “Vinod has committed a grave mistake. His action has put the party in a lot of trouble and sullied its image.” BJP Kerala in-charge, H Raja, has also condemned the entire episode.

Rajashekharan has set up a two-member committee comprising party members KP Sreesan and AK Nazir. This step was taken after SR Educational and Charitable Trust chairperson, R Shaji alleged that the institute failed to acquire recognition from MCI even though Vinod had taken a whopping bribe of Rs 5.60 crore.

Shaji alleged that one Rakesh Sivaraman, posing as private secretary to the BJP state president, had introduced the middle man to him through Vinod. Shaji told the committee that Vinod had demanded Rs 17 crore for securing MCI’s recognition. When the MCI came to inspect the college, it was found out that the money did not reach them as had been promised by the middleman.

The probe panel also revealed other BJP leaders who allegedly sought bribes from a different hospital in Palakkad district; M T Ramesh being one of them. However, he has denied all the allegations charged against him.

There is confusion among the investigation panel members as to how could an internal party probe feature in media. Vinod, who has allegedly taken the bribe, claimed that internal turmoil in the party was responsible for this.

There are unconfirmed reports that SNDP Yogam general secretary, Vellapally Natesan is in charge of the leakage owing to his annoyance with the BJP leadership as they have not been delivering promises.

The BJP has faced a lot of backlash for the leaked investigation report featured in the Lok Sabha on 20 July. Amidst claims for CBI enquiry, the BJP top-brass encountered huge embarrassment.

The Logical Indian community condemns the entire episode and once again, intends to bring to the fore the deep-seated corruption that has now become synonymous with Indian politics.