Vigilance court says no evidence against CM in land case

In a relief to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, a vigilance court today observed that there was no evidence to link him to the controversial Pattoor land deal case.
Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) Johan K Illikadan, however, pointed that there was prime facie evidence to prove that encroachment had taken place in the land for the construction of flats at Patoor in the heart of the city.
The court made the observation while considering opposition leader V S Achuthanandan's plea seeking an investigation against Chandy in the case.
The allegation was that Chandy had helped a private firm in 'encroaching' government land at Pattoor for the construction of flats there.

All the reports pertaining to Pattoor case were now under the consideration of the Lok Ayukhta, the court said and posted the matter to March 29.
In his petition, Achuthanandan had alleged that the Chief Minister, along with some officials, had helped the real estate group to take over public land.