Vigilance Registers FIR Against Wayanad MLA I.C. Balakrishnan in Bathery Urban Bank Recruitment Scam

Kalpetta: The Vigilance Department has registered an FIR against Congress MLA I.C. Balakrishnan in connection with a recruitment scam at the Bathery Urban Bank, which reportedly led to the deaths of Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) Treasurer N.M. Vijayan and his son. The MLA is accused of accepting bribes for appointments at the bank.

The case was registered following complaints alleging widespread bribery for recruitment in Congress-controlled cooperative banks in Wayanad. Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Balakrishnan, during his tenure as DCC President, had used Vijayan as an intermediary to collect bribes for bank appointments.

According to sources, Vijayan’s suicide note contained serious allegations against Mr. Balakrishnan and former DCC President N.D. Appachan. It alleged that Vijayan’s son was removed from his part-time sweeper post at Bathery Urban Bank, and the position was given to another individual through a bribery transaction by the MLA. The note also detailed the involvement of Congress leaders in accepting bribes for recruitment, which had caused considerable unrest.

Complaints have been filed by several individuals, including Isaac from Kalliyadi Tamara Chaal, Biju from Bathery Moolankav, and Pathrose from Thaloor Appozhath, who accused Congress leaders of soliciting money in exchange for job appointments. Isaac alleged he paid Rs. 17 lakh in three installments as per MLA’s instructions, while Biju claimed Congress leaders accepted Rs. 4 lakh. Pathrose alleged that Rs. 22 lakh was collected promising a job for his son Eldos at the bank.

Dr. Sunny George, former chairman of Bathery Urban Bank, has corroborated these allegations, revealing that Mr. Balakrishnan submitted a list of 17 names for appointments. The list reportedly included individuals who were either very low on the ranking list or not listed at all, implying that appointments were secured through bribes rather than merit.

The investigation, led by Wayanad DySP Shaji Varghese, is ongoing. Mr. Balakrishnan remains the sole accused in the FIR as of now. The Vigilance Department has submitted the preliminary investigation report, including statements and documentary evidence, to the Vigilance Director for further action.