Bar bribery case: AGI Mukul Rohatgi should desist from giving legal advice to Kerala VACB, says Achuthanandan

Although the investigating officer reported there was enough evidence to file charge sheet against Mani, the legal adviser took a contrary stand.

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The Additional Director of the VACB also attested the stand of the legal advisor that the case would not stand against Mani. Subsequently, VACB director Vinson M Paul decided to seek the expert opinion of the Attorney General.

Achuthanandan said Rohatgi had appeared for the bar owners from Kerala in the Supreme Court when they had moved the apex court against the government decision to close the bars below the five-star category.

Rohatgi had appeared for the bar owners before assuming office as the AG. The same bar owners had allegedly given bribe to Mani. Hence, it would be improper on the party of the AG to give legal advice to the Kerala VACB on the bar scandal, he said.

Achuthanandan said it was a wrong precedent on the part of the VACB Director to seek the legal opinion of the AG.

The VACB should go by the report of the investigating officer. No legal advice from any quarter can silence the findings of the investigating officer, said the Opposition leader.