The Thrissur Vigilance Court on Tuesday rejected the objection petitions filed by former Food Minister T.H. Musthafa and former managing director of Civil Supplies Corporation Jiji Thomson, accused in the 1992 palmolein import corruption case.
Vigilance Judge K. Haripal said the court would consider on May 29 objection petitions filed by former Chief Secretary S. Padmakumar and former Additional Chief Secretary Zachariah Mathew, who were also accused in the case. Pointing out that a Vigilance investigation had given a clean chit to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who faced allegations of having been involved in the controversial deal, the counsel for Musthafa argued that the then Food Minister had only implemented the decision of the Cabinet. The counsel for Jiji Thomson argued that clearance of the Central government was not obtained for trying him, an IAS officer.
The court rejected the arguments. Later, the counsels told reporters that Musthafa and Thomson would approach the High Court.
