CBI to challenge Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's acquittal in 1990s case
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 22 (IBNS): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will challenge the acquittal of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a corruption case that dates back to the 1990s, according to NDTV.
According to the media report, the CBI will move the Kerala High Court that acquitted Vijayan in the 1990 case.
The development comes amid a heightened political tussle involving the ruling CPI (M) and the BJP, eyeing the red citadel- both involved in continuing bloody conflicts.
The High Court said the CBI could not produce much evidence against the Kerala CM. However, the document made by the law ministry suggests the CBI has enough ground to probe the case.
The SNC-Lavalin case, which dates back to 1998, was about Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin which was given the contract to built several hydroelectric projects. Vijayan was the state power minister at the time the deal was made in the Left Front-lead coalition government in the state.
The CBI was then asked to investigate the case but the Kerala HC passed the verdict in favour of the present CM.
The investigation started when the Congress-led state government was in power and they alleged the deal with the Canadian firm was not transparent.
Vijayan became the CM of the state in 2016 after the Left Front defeated the Congress in the Assembly election.
Image: Facebook page of Pinarayi Vijayan
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