Idukki District Collector V. Vigneshwari has ordered a probe against Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Idukki district secretary in an alleged illegal mining case.
According to officials, the probe was ordered against CPI(M) district secretary C.V. Varghese, his son, Amal Varghese, and son-in-law, Sajith Kadaladimattam. An unidentified social worker had filed a complaint before the District Collector stating that Mr. Varghese and family were carrying out illegal quarry and soil mining in various parts of the district. Based on the complaint, the Collector directed the tahsildars to probe the issue and submit a report, who in turn gave directives to the village officers to probe the allegation and submit a report immediately.
‘No action taken’
According to the complaint, huge amounts of rock were mined in various parts of the district allegedly in the name of the construction of the Thadiyampadu, Vimalagiri, Pandippara and Ambalam road. It further alleged that Mr. Varghese, who hails from a financially- backward family, now owned 15 tippers, eight Torres lorries, 18 buses, four excavators, four earth movers, Innova and other vehicles. Mr. Varghese also has acres of cardamom plantation in the district. The police and other departments did not take any action against his illegal activities, alleged the complaint.
According to sources, during the CPI(M) district conference held recently, many members had raised concerns regarding the alleged illegal activities of Mr. Varghese. However, the party leadership re-elected him as the district secretary for another term.
Mr. Varghese was not available for comments.
