Kerala   

Stay on proceedings against Padmarajan

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday stayed further proceedings in a criminal case pending against former Electricity Minister C.V. Padmarajan before the Thrissur Vigilance Court in connection with the alleged corruption in the establishment of the Brahmapuram Diesel Power Plant.

Justice K.P. Balachandran passed the interim order after he found that a strong prima facie case had been made out for staying the proceedings. In his petition, the former Minister said that he had been charged with awarding a contract for purchasing five diesel engines to SEMT Pieltick, a French company, at an exorbitant rate without inviting global tenders.

He pointed out that he had approved the contract in his official capacity as the Minister for Electricity under the business rules framed under Article 166 of the Constitution. The Minister had the authority to grant such a sanction. In fact, the alleged offence was committed in Paris. So the vigilance court did not have the jurisdiction or legal authority to conduct inquiry or trial of the offences alleged against him without obtaining sanction from the Central government. He pointed out that the KSEB was competent to enter into any agreement with any company. The former Minister said that the Brahmapuram plant was included in the ‘Indo-French Protocol on Soft Loan and Export Credit.’ In fact, the Centre had given clearance required for the deal. Besides Padmarajan, 12 others were arraigned as accused in the case.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Uniform levies will eat into State resources: Achuthanandan
Balan seeks Sonia’s intervention
Dangerous curve
Gearing up for the monsoon
Offerings
CInema
Engagements
Housing scheme for the poor
Doctors stage dharna
Surgeons warn of cat-borne eye disease
campus notes
Serving humanity
Genius in pictures
Torturous trip
Bring auspiciousness with care
‘Nokkukooli’ is extortion: Minister
Probe into woman’s disappearance
Sanctuary named after ornithologist
Cut down newsprint price: Chief Minister
Term of reserved wards likely to be increased
Details of schools posted on Internet
On the food front
Stay on proceedings against Padmarajan

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu