HC rejects Ker govt plea for early hearing of SNC Lavalin case

The Kerala High Court today rejected a plea by the state government for an early hearing of CBI's revision petition challenging the acquittal of CPI(M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan in a corruption case and posted it after two months.
In his order, Justice P Ubaid said that in view of huge pendency of very old cases, this case cannot be taken up earlier.
"Now, I do not find any extraordinary situation for an urgent hearing in these matters," he said and adjourned the matter for hearing after two months.
The Judge wondered why the government was very particular in having the case heard immediately.

"All are cautioned that judicial floor shall not be used for political ends. Cases from year 2000 onwards are pending before me for consideration," the Judge said.
He was passing orders on the plea filed by the state government last month seeking "urgent" hearing of the revision petition filed by CBI and two others against a CBI court verdict acquitting Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin graft case. CPI(M) had come out publicly against the Congress-led UDF government, alleging that it wanted early hearing to build a case against the party and its leader Vijayan during the coming assembly polls.

When the case came up for hearing today, CBI sought adjournment on the ground that the Additional Solicitor General would appear for it.

The state government, however, opposed CBI's plea and requested for immediate hearing of the matter. Meanwhile, A Francis, an accused in the case, filed a petition seeking to prohibit Director of Prosecution Asaf Ali from appearing in his capacity as the state Public Prosecutor and to recall the order impleding the state of Kerala as additional respondent in the case.
The CBI special court in Thiruvananthapuram had in November 2013 discharged Vijayan and six others from the case relating to alleged loss of Rs 374.50 crore caused by them to state exchequer in the award of contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin for renovating three hydel projects in the state.