The Vigilance wing of the Secretariat is reportedly sitting on the files sent by Vigilance director Anilkanth, seeking an investigation against the chief minister’s former principal secretary Sivasankar.

The file contained a report seeking an inquiry into the anomalies in IT department and Sprinklr/Bev-Q deals. Though the Vigilance headquarters says that the file was sent ten days ago, it has not reached the table of the home secretary, who is also in charge of the Vigilance.

The files also contained complaints submitted by Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and Ernakulam native Cheshire Tarson. The complaints include allegation of nepotism in the Bev-Q app contract, PricewaterhouseCoopers consultancy service and appointment of Swapna as project manager on a salary of more than Rs One lakh.
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As per the amendment brought to Prevention of Corruption Act in Parliament, for filing cases and carrying out probe against chief ministers, ministers, MLAs, MPS and bureaucrats, the permission of a higher authority is needed. The Vigilance should send such complaints to the Secretariat. The home department should verify it and send it to the chief minister.

But in this case, home secretary T K Jose says he has not received such a file.