KANNUR: Mystery looms in the complaint filed by entrepreneur T V Prasanthan alleging bribery against Kannur ADM Naveen Babu for allowing NOC to his petrol pump. Vigilance in Kannur states that no such complaint has been received. The report given by the District Collector to the Revenue Minister also denied receiving any complaints.

It is mysterious that bribery was not reported to the vigilance despite Prasanthan having good connections within the party. The chief minister’s office is silent over the issue and has not cared to respond despite the issue putting the party on the defensive.

The complaint said to have been given to the Chief Minister came out soon after ADM Naveen Babu committed suicide. In the complaint, it states that Naveen asked for Rs 1 lakh to allow permission for the petrol pump but Prasanthan managed to pay Rs 98,500, only after hastily pooling money from various sources.

The money was handed over to Naveen at his quarters in Pallikunnu. Prasanthan disclosed the details to Zilla Panchayat President PP Divya, who instructed the pump owner to file a complaint with the chief minister. The complainant while talking to the media said that he had a voice recording in which the ADM can be heard requesting Prasanthan to come to his quarters. However, there is no evidence of ADM Naveen asking bribe.

1. Those who send complaints to the Chief Minister's office will have to enter the information on the CMO portal. As soon as the complaint is sent, you will receive a reply by e-mail indicating that the complaint has been received, including the docket number. Prasanthan evaded when asked about his docket number.

2. The phone conversation between the complainant Prasanthan and another entrepreneur who applied for NOC has come to light. In this conversation, Prasanthan says that ADM is not corrupt.

3. In the complaint given to the Chief Minister by Prashanthan, it is said that the bribe was paid on October 6. However, it was on October 7th that Prasanthan in a phone conversation stated how the ADM is not corrupt. In the phone conversation, Prasanthan blames police for hindering NOC for his petrol pump.