KOCHI: The High Court on Thursday asked the CBI whether any person, other than Canadian company SNC-Lavalin, made gains from the controversial contract for renovation of hydroelectric projects in Kerala.
The CBI submitted not only pecuniary gain, but abuse of power would also come under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Considering a review petition filed by the CBI, challenging an order by the Thiruvananthapuram CBI Special Court discharging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others in the case, the court further asked whether any name other than that of Lavalin company was included in the final report filed by the CBI.
The court adjourned hearing of the case to Friday.
According to the CBI, in a note addressed to the then chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan in April 1997 said he had sought Lavalin’s assistance to set up a cancer hospital at Thalassery, a project mooted by Pinarayi himself in his capacity as the Electricity Minister.
“Pinarayi, knowing fully well about the dealings, fraudulently entered into a non-binding MoU with Lavalin on April 25, 1998, in collusion with the other accused including Mohana Chandran and A Francis. Vijayan had appointed N Sasidharan Nair, his personal staff in the Ministry, as special officer for MCC and initiated land acquisition proceedings,” stated the CBI.