Setback for Kerala CM Pinarayi? SC sends notice in SNC Lavalin case

In what can be seen as a setback to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Supreme Court has admitted the CBI to appeal against his discharge in the SNC Lavalin corruption case.

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the CM and others on a plea by the CBI, challenging their acquittal in the corruption case, involving three hydel power projects in the state.

The notice is returnable in four weeks, News18 reported.

The CBI had approached the apex court, challenging the Kerala High Court's order acquitting Pinarayi Vijayan and two others in the SNC-Lavalin case.

A bench of Justice NV Ramana and Justice S Abdul Nazeer also stayed the trial of the case involving the award of contracts for the renovation of the three hydel power projects in Kerala.

The CBI had moved the top court challenging a Kerala High Court order from August last year, which discharged Vijayan and six others while allowing trial of the remaining three accused.

In August last year, the HC upheld the decision of a special CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram to discharge three accused, including the CM Vijayan. 

The case pertains to the late 1990s when Pinarayi Vijayan was Power Minister in Kerala.

Three accused including the CM, who were asked to face trial by the High Court, had moved the top court challenging the High Court's verdict.

According to reports, the SC bench also expressed displeasure over requests of repeated adjournment. 

"You mention this matter before the Chief Justice for listing and then seek adjournment...this is not done," the judge told the lawyers, who represented some of the other accused in this case.

(With IANS inputs)