Kerala flyover case: Ex-Minister's judicial remand extended

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Kochi, Dec 2 (IANS) A special court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of former Kerala Minister Ebrahim Kunju, under treatment at a hospital here for cancer, by 14 days in the Palarivattom flyover collapse case.

The court conducted hearing through videoconference and passed the order after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) wanted him to remain in custody as they needed more time for questioning him.

Kunju, a senior legislator of the Indian Union Muslim League that is the second-biggest party in the Congress-led UDF, was arrested by the VACB last month from a leading private hospital in the Palarivattom flyover collapse case.

His arrest was recorded by the VACB while he was under treatment for multiple myeloma at the private hospital.

Last week, the Muvattupuzha vigilance court did not give the nod for either his bail or for VACB custody, and instead asked the probe team to question him for a day on Monday from 9 am to 5 pm.

It also specified that he should be given adequate rest in between and should not be put under duress.

Kunju was earlier questioned a few times by the VACB over a graft case in connection with the flyover project. He is the fifth accused named in the case and his sudden arrest was seen as payback by the Pinarayi Vijayan government, after it became engulfed in numerous scams and allegations.

Built at a cost of Rs 42 crore during Congress leader Oommen Chandy's term as Chief Minister, the 750-metre flyover was supposed to last for over 100 years. It was opened in October 2016, but started crumbling within three years and had to be closed. Kunju was the PWD Minister when the flyover was constructed.

Until his arrest, none knew about the health condition of the otherwise soft-spoken and low-profile former Minister.

--IANS

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