Vigilance raids at ex-minister C N Balakrishnan’s PA's home

THRISSUR: Vigilance officials on Thursday raided the houses and properties of Lijo Joseph, a e personal staff in the office of the former Minister C N Balakrishnan, following charges of amassment of disproportionate assets. The vigilance officials said as per their investigations there was an increase of 220 per cent in the assets owned by Lijo Joseph during the last five years.
As per reports he had acquired reals estate assets at least at three places in his own name, and at other places in his relatives' names.There has also been drastic increase in the bank deposits of Lijo and people close to him. The raids are being conducted by a team of officials from the vigilance special cell, Ernakulam at his house at Aranattukara near here and at his properties from morning. Asked whether the raids will be extended to the former Minister also, a vigilance official said it depends on the testimonies from Lijo Joseph. If he says he had acquired these assets as proxy of somebody else they will also be covered, he said.
Balakrishnan told media that he was not aware of any wrongdoings by Lijo Joseph , who was one among the 30 –odd staff members.
He however said if any of his personal staff members had indulged any wrongdoings they must be punished as per the law.
According to the vigilance sources similar raids will be conducted against the personal staff members of other ministers in the previous UDF regime who are facing corruptions charges.