IAS officer to face action, banks asked to freeze his accounts

During the previous LDF regime, Vigilance had suggested that Sooraj be suspended in connection with a few corruption cases, but he wriggled out of disciplinary action with political patronage.

A conferred IAS officer, Sooraj had last year declared assets worth Rs 7.35 crore. But, the raids have revealed that his wealth would be much higher than the declared.

Public works minister and Muslim League leader V K Ibrahim Kunju said the disciplinary action against Sooraj, who is public works secretary, would be decided in consultation with the chief minister.

The minister said Sooraj had given sanction for Reliance for laying 4-G cables along roads in Kerala at a rate lower than the prevailing rate in other states.That deal was cancelled after he (minister) came to know about it, said Kunju.

Sooraj had started his career as a junior officer in the forest department. Later, he joined the revenue service as a deputy collector and got IAS from state service. In last one decade, he had held key portfolios, but got mired in corruption cases and controversies. However, close links with the Indian Union Muslim League and a section in CPI (M) came to his rescue.

Sooraj on Thursday told the media that he was ready to furnish necessary documents to substantiate that he did not own assets disproportionate to his known source of income.

He said Vigilance has taken away Rs 23 lakh from his house. The money was meant for the marriage of his sister’s daughter, said Sooraj.