Lavalin verdict a surprise, says Vijayan
CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan termed as “surprising” the Supreme Court decision to reject his petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Governor’s nod to prosecute him in the Lavalin corruption case.
“This is against the initial stand of the bench as conveyed to senior lawyers like F.S. Nariman and Harish P. Salve,” Mr Vijayan said, reacting to the court’s nod to withdraw the case, leaving no clear direction on the disposal of a fresh petition at the High Court.
The CPI(M) leader said that when the case was filed in 2009, the Supreme Court examined the maintainability of the petition. After several hearings, the bench allowed the constitutional question to be brought up.
However, a new bench, headed by another judge had rejected the petition, Mr Vijayan said.
Asked whether there was a conspiracy behind ‘implicating’ him in the case, Mr Vijayan asked whether he should “go back to all that once again”.
Mr Vijayan’s comment, seen in the background of the Lavalin case, is ironic as he has been Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s favourite target within the party. Although the Achuthanandan government had officially opposed the prosecution, it was clear that the Chief Minister was not happy about it. He had also subtly defended the Governor’s applying his discretion in the matter.
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