KOCHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is not likely to file an appeal soon at the Supreme Court challenging Kerala High Court’s verdict in the SNC Lavalin case acquitting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, even though the 90-day time to do it ends on Tuesday.
According to the CBI, clearance from the Law Ministry to file an appeal has not been received yet. In this wake, the agency will apply a ‘delay condonation’ appeal before Supreme Court later. Condonation of delay is the extension of the prescribed period in certain cases. Courts are to be convinced with a sufficient cause in order to get it.
“Since the sanction hasn’t been received, it’s unlikely to file an appeal in the SNC Lavalin case at the apex court on Tuesday. It’ll be filed by December or January period. We’ll approach the Supreme Court with condonation of delay appeal,” said a CBI officer in Kochi.
The officer said the agency’s legal cell was working on the matter. “A detailed report was filed regarding the case and handed over to the Law Ministry. However, clearance wasn’t received. Since the case is a sensitive one involving several ministers, it would take time to study the case. In several cases, delay condonation appeal was filed,” said the CBI officer.
It was on August 23 the High Court acquitted Pinarayi, former power secretary K Mohanachandran and ex-joint secretary A Francis. As per the rule, an appeal has to be filed at Supreme Court within 90 days.