Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) Director DGP Vinson M Paul, who was criticized by both vigilance court and high court for his actions in bar bribery probe, has retired after 32 years of service on Monday.
After his retirement while talking to media he said that he stand firm on his decisions.
Paul was on long leave after the vigilance court made adverse remarks against him while considering the vigilance department's plea to close bar bribery against former Finance Minister KM Mani last month.
“I stand by my opinion. If anyone can prove the presence of even1% evidence against Mani in the report, I am ready to answer them,” Paul said as per The Times of India report.
The TOI reports that Paul got emotional and burst into tears during his speech in a farewell function held at the vigilance headquarters on Monday. He said the vigilance court's comments caused him immense pain since he has never done anything against his conscience.
Vigilance court had earlier said while considering VACB’s petition to close bar bribery case citing there was no evidence against KM Mani, that VACB director has no right to make changes in the findings of the investigating officer, court also stated that there was “enough oral, documentary and scientific’’ evidence to file charge sheet against Mani. Court criticized Paul by saying the VACB director went against the principles of the Vigilance manual.