Bribery for PSC membership: CPM to take action; Pramod Kotuli may be removed from all elected posts

KOZHIKODE: CPM to take organizational action against Kozhikode Town Area Committee member Pramod Kotuli on the allegation of accepting a bribe of Rs 22 lakh from a doctor by offering PSC membership. The District Committee is moving towards action following the instructions of the State Committee. Area committee member and CITU district office bearer Pramod may be removed from all elected posts.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the controversy, the Kozhikode District Secretariat meeting that was scheduled to be held today has been postponed. After four days, the district committee will hold a meeting and discuss the measures. The bribery allegations were investigated by a three-member committee of the district secretariat. The party investigation is complete. This will be reported to the district committee.

The accused, Pramod Kotuli, denied the allegations against him. "I have not taken money from anyone. The party has not asked me for any explanation. No one has approached me for PSC membership," explained Pramod.

The CPM leaders in the district are not ready to give any significant response on the matter. It is alleged that Pramod first demanded 60 lakhs from the doctor for PSC membership and accepted 22 lakhs. In the meantime, there was an attempt to compromise. The party decided to take action after the matter came to light. It is alleged that the bribe was taken in the name of Minister Muhammad Riyas, Elamaram Karim, District Secretary P Mohanan, MLAs Sachindev, Thottathil Ravindran and Health Minister's PA.

Pramod Kotuli accepted Rs 10 lakh as the first instalment. When PSC membership did not happen, Pramod Kotuli took 12 lakhs by offering the doctor a top position in the AYUSH department. When that did not happen, the doctor and relatives lodged a complaint with the party. Minister Muhammad Riyas had sent a letter to the party asking them to investigate the incident and bring out the truth.