CM: Graft charges on police chief baseless

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said graft allegations raised by Congress legislator P T Thomas against state police chief Loknath Behera were baseless.
Thomas on Tuesday alleged large scale corruption in the purchase of vehicles and electronic equipment in the police department and demanded the government to order a CBI inquiry.
“The state government takes steps for the modernization of police force. It’s natural that computers, cameras and vehicles are purchased as part of this. Crime and criminal tracking network system was purchased with the approval of state empowered committee. Purchases were carried out via central procurement (CPRC) and contract system and government e-marketing(GeM). CCTVs were purchased through open tender,” Pinarayi said.
Chief minister said there was no truth in the allegations that funds allocated for security related expenditure in Naxal-hit areas was diverted for building bungalows for senior police officials. “What I have to say is that the allegations raised by Thomas are baseless. You all know what the procedure takes places on the CAG reports. It would take its own natural course,” he said.