THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Crucial CCTV footage has been released in the allegation that health minister's personal staff member took bribe for the appointment of medical officer. After checking the CCTV footage of the secretariat, the police could not find the money being exchanged. In the footage, Haridas and Basith can be seen arriving in front of the secretariat, but Akhil Mathew is not visible. As part of the investigation, the police had requested the CCTV footage from the General Administration Department. It is in this examination that the critical turning point has happened.

At the same time, the complainant Haridasan reiterated in the police statement that he had handed over money to Akhil P. Mathew, the personal assistant of the health minister, for the appointment. Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment SI Shefin visited Haridasan's house in Malappuram yesterday and took his statement. Akhil Mathew is the one who is believed to have accepted the money. Akhil Mathew's photo was shown by the intermediary Akhil Sajeev. The photo was shown on the phone once. That was months ago. However, the photo of Akhil Mathew shown by the police is different from that. Phone records and WhatsApp messages were also handed over to the police. Haridasan also said that the police asked about KP Basith, who was tasked to inform the health minister about the demand for money for the appointment.

Minister Veena George had earlier responded that the police is investigating the allegations levelled against the personal staff and let the truth come out. The minister said that we will meet again after the truth comes out. The minister had clarified that Akhil Mathew had nothing to do with this and the allegation was baseless.