Lavalin case back in focus, Governor writes to LDF Govt

Casting a shadow on the LDF's poll campaign, the SNC Lavalin corruption case, in which the CBI has sought to arraign CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, is back in focus with Governor R S Gavai seeking follow-up steps by Kerala Government on the agency's request.

Casting a shadow on the LDF's poll campaign, the SNC Lavalin corruption case, in which the CBI has sought to arraign CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, is back in focus with Governor R S Gavai seeking follow-up steps by Kerala Government on the agency's request.

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Significantly, this was confirmed by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at a meet-the-press in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, saying the Governor's letter had been forwarded to the Advocate General to examine it and take necessary steps.

He said the accused in the case were liable to be punished but they had every right to protect themselves till the court decides on the case.

However, within an hour after his meeting with journalists, the Chief Minister's office clarified that what Achuthanandan had meant was not Lavalin case but was reiterating his general stand on corruption.

Last week, leaders of Congress-led UDF had called on the Governor alleging that Left Front Government was deliberately delaying sanction to prosecute the accused due to political reasons. The UDF's representation with a covering letter to the Chief Minister was forwarded to his office by Raj Bhavan on Saturday.