KOCHI: Former Public Works Secretary T O Sooraj was arrested on Friday in connection with Palarivattom road overbridge corruption case.

The Vigilance sleuths arrested four persons including T O Sooraj in this connection.

Offences such as corruption, cheating, conspiracy and misuse of funds have been charged against the accused. Other prominent persons arrested are Former KITCO MD Benny Paul, construction company RDS projects MD Sumit Goel and RBDCK Assistant general manager P D Thanckachan.

As many as 17 persons are accused in the case. The Vigilance had the other day questioned T O Sooraj. The contract for Palarivattom was signed when Sooraj was the secretary.

After being questioned, TO Sooraj told media that he had issued the order for the contract based on the decision of the cabinet.

The Vigilance had earlier questioned former Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju in the case. The project was handed over to Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd (RBDCK), avoiding National Highway Development authority, during the tenure of previous UDF government.

The arrested officers will be produced in the court soon. T O Sooraj is already an accused in Disproportionate Assets case, following which the government suspended him.