DGP refutes George's allegation on scrap deal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Director general of police K S Balasubramanian has come up with a clarification regarding the allegation levelled by government chief whip P C George.
"An allegation has been levelled against me, linking me to a controversy at the Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. The incident mentioned by the chief whip happened in 2005, whereas I joined as vigilance officer there only in 2009," said Balasubramanian in a statement issued here.
George had alleged that the DGP was involved in the selling of scrap at the corporation and he had interfered with profit motive.
Balasubramaniam said the scrap, which was worth Rs 26.68 crore, was sold to a company which quoted the maximum price of Rs 132 crore. Even though the case was taken to court, it was directed to go for arbitration. He also added that court has never warned him in the case, thus implying that he was not involved in the incident.
George, while releasing the telephonic conversation that happened between the suspended police officer Jacob Job and retired DGP M N Krishnamoorthy, had said that Balasubraminain was a tainted officer and alleged that he was involved in the Neyveli scam.
George's expose on Friday was regarding an alleged attempt by police top brass to help controversial businessman Mohammed Nisham, the main accused in the Chandrabose murder case.
The 25-minute conversation between the two senior officers points fingers at a larger conspiracy in the police top brass with Krishnamurthy constantly referring to a 'Swamy' on whose behalf he was talking to Job. George alleged that Krishnamurthy was referring to state police chief K S Balasubramanian.
But home minister Ramesh Chennithala, who had listened to the CD with George after the latter submitted it to him early in the day, said there was nothing substantial in the CD to doubt the integrity of DGP Balasubramanian.
George's latest salvo has put the UDF government, which is already facing a stormy budget session, in the defensive. The opposition, which has already boycotted the governor's address to the assembly, has threatened to prevent the 'tainted' finance minister K M Mani from presenting the state budget on March 13.