Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 (IANS) An ongoing vigilance probe, in a case of land transferred to a relative of CPI-M leader and former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, has recommended that the veteran communist be arraigned as one of the eight accused as this was a case of corruption.

The investigating team has named four IAS officials, including the then principal secretary of Achuthanandan, Sheela Thomas as accused in the case.

The others whose names figure in the list include the then revenue minister and CPI leader K.P. Rajendran, besides the personal assistant of Achuthanandan, Suresh.

The vigilance team has submitted its report to the vigilance director who will now decide the next move in this case.

It was in June this year that the Oommen Chandy government, after examining all the files related to the land transfer to T.K. Soman, a relative of Achuthanandan, ordered a probe by the vigilance department.

The cabinet also decided to cancel the land allotment at Kasargode district involving Soman, a former defence official.

The alleged land transfer took place at the fag end of Achuthanandan’s tenure as chief minister.

As per government norms, when land is given to people in the defence category, it should not exceed more than an acre.

Instead, Soman was given 2.33 acres and the rule is that such land cannot be sold or transferred for 25 years after allotment.

The vigilance had to approach Achuthanandan a few times before he agreed to give his statement and that took place on Dec 28 last year at his official residence in the capital city.

Achuthanandan was yet to react after the news surfaced Wednesday night.