The State government on Tuesday filed a petition seeking to implead itself in the revision petitions challenging a CBI special court order discharging CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and the other accused in the SNC-Lavalin corruption case.
The government pointed out that the special court had totally ignored the evidence produced by the prosecution against the accused. The government said on examination of documentary evidence, it was clear that all the accused had conspired together abusing their official position and caused heavy loss to the government and the KSEB.
SNC-Lavalin had been awarded the contract for the renovation and modernisation of the Pallivasal, Sengulam, and Panniar hydroelectric projects at an exorbitant rate. The company had been given undue favours by not inviting global tenders.
The government said although the company had agreed to arrange a financial aid of Rs.98.3 crore for constructing the Malabar Cancer Centre, it had only arranged Rs.12.05 crore. The company had reneged on the promise, resulting in a loss of Rs.86.25 crore to the government. If a binding agreement had been executed, it could have been avoided.
Special court findingsThe finding of the special court that the provision of the Prevention of Corruption Act did not attract against the accused, as the construction of the Malabar Cancer Centre was proposed on account of a public cause, did not have any merit.
The lower court omitted to take note of the records produced by the prosecution regarding the exorbitant rate fixed by the accused arbitrarily.
The lower court grossly erred in appreciating the evidence at the stage of framing charges.
As the State had suffered heavy loss in the deal, it was absolutely essential to implead the government in the revision petitions.
The High Court had last week admitted the revision petitions filed by the CBI and T.P Nandakumar, editor, Crime fortnightly.
