THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Bar Hotel Owners’ Association working president Biju Ramesh is learnt to have told Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau officials that he called on Finance Minister K.M. Mani and some other ministers as advised by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

A team led by Vigilance special investigation unit-I SP R. Sukesan took Biju’s statement. It is learnt that Biju stuck to his earlier statement that Mr. Mani demanded Rs 5 crore and that Rs 1 crore was handed over to him.

He said that when the association office-bearers called on the Chief Minister while a decision on closing down the bars was pending, the Chief Minister advised them to call on Mr. Mani and other ministers and sort out the issue.

The names of the association office-bearers, who gave the cash and venues of the transaction, as stated during the quick verification, were repeated by Biju. He also expressed his willingness to give the details of the bribe given to some other ministers, said sources. The VACB will summon others involved in the deal in due course.