Kerala Finance Minister K.M. Mani has been charged in a bribery case by a special cell of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting Rs 50 lakhs from bar owners. After a preliminary inquiry based on the allegations, Vigilance cell went ahead to book a case against Mani under the provision of  Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the probe, Mani has accepted Rs 1 crores from bar owners in three installments and during the probe, the Vigilance cell even questioned Mani. It was leader of opposition, V.S. Achuthananada's letter to chief minister and home minister that led to a Vigilance probe.

However, Mani has denied all the allegations but he did not comment when asked if there is any conspiracy behind this. Mani said, such allegations against ministers are common and Vigilance probe would reveal everything.

- TVR