Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Vijayan | Photo - Mathrubhumi archives
Thiruvananthapuram: While quashing the petition of Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA demanding vigilance enquiry against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the ‘CMRL pay off ‘ controversy, the Vigilance court has observed that Kuzhalnadan has failed to produce evidence and the petition contains allegations only. In the verdict, the court has said that there was no prima facie evidence regarding the allegations raised in the petition and the petition does not come under The Prevention of Corruption Act. The court has criticised the petition of Kuzhalnadan, corroborating the argument that it was a politically motivated move.
“The petitioner has not demanded any enquiry against any other person to whom CMRL had paid money. Why did the petitioner demand enquiry against the Chief Minister and his daughter only? “, the court asked. “The petitioner has failed to produce documents to prove his allegations”. The court has observed that there was no corruption involved in granting Ilmenite to CMRL. In the petition, it was not alleged in the petition that the Ilmenite was given for free.
Also, it has not been clarified in the petition how CMRL benefited from this deal. The court also said that the e-way bill presented by the petitioner to support his argument can not be viewed as evidence. The court has also rejected the argument that KREML was given surplus land through unfair relaxation in norms. The government's decision to implement relaxation while granting the surplus land to Kerala Rare Earths and Minerals Ltd (KREML) was revoked, later. Vigilance had convinced the court about this earlier. It is by considering this that the court has taken the stand that no relaxation of norms had taken place in connection with the surplus land.
While raising the allegation of ‘monthly pay off’, one of the most serious allegations raised by Kuzhalnadan was in connection with surplus land. However, vigilance had successfully handled this allegation by providing the government order canceling the decision to grant surplus land to KREML.
The legal battle of Kuzhalnadan was one of the most discussed topics during the election time. With Kuzhalnadan receiving a snub from the court regarding this, the only hurdle remaining before the government and party in connection with this case is the investigation of the central agencies. The investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office has already been going on. Besides this, separate investigations have been going on by the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate.
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