Main events in Bar bribery case

Thiruvananthapuram: Main events in Bar bribery case that led to the resignation of K M Mani, Kerala Finance Minister and chief of Kerala Congress (M), the third largest partner in the Congress-led UDF in Kerala.

October 31, 2014: Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association working president Biju Ramesh comes out with allegation that Mani had demanded a bribe of Rs 5 crore and accepted Rs 1 crore for the renewal of bar licences in April 2014.

December 10: State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau registers an FIR against Mani and begins probe on a complaint filed by CPI(M) veteran and state Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan based on the allegations of Ramesh.

March 13, 2015: State Assembly witnesses unprecedented chaos when CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition members tries to prevent Mani from presenting the state budget for 2015-16.

March 30: Ramesh gives statement before the court against Mani in the case.

April 22: CPI(M) led LDF opposition holds march to state secretariat as part of its agitation demanding resignation of Mani.

May 18: Bar bribery case witness and Ramesh's driver, Ambili, undergoes polygraph test.

May 24: Test results indicate that Ambili's statement that he saw Mani accepting bribe is true.

June 3: Investigating Office Vigilance Superintendent R Sukesh submits 'quick verification report' to Vigilance Director Vinson M Paul stating that there was evidence to take case against Mani. The Director disagrees with the report.

July 7: Investigating Officer submits a final report before special court seeking closure of the case.

July 28: Vigilance submits all materials related to the case in court.

October 6: Special Vigilance Court reserves final verdict after completion of hearing.

October 29: Vigilance Court quashes final report of Vigilance to close the case and orders further probe into it.

November 6: Kerala High Court refuses interim stay on Special Vigilance Court order for further probe.

November 9: High Court upholds vigilance court order for further probe.