The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala has decided to move the high court to seek an early hearing of the revision petitions challenging the CBI court’s decision to discharge CPM politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan and others in the SNC Lavalin corruption case. With the move coming months ahead of Assembly polls, the CPM alleged that it was politically motivated. Vijayan has emerged as strong contender for leading the CPM-led LDF in the state election. The SNC Lavalin case concerns repair and revival of three power projects in Kerala during 1995-1997. Vijayan and others were accused of entering a deal with a Canadian firm that caused a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state. Vijayan and six others were acquitted by a special CBI court in November 2013 after they moved discharge petitions when the case was at trial stage. [related-post] Almost three months later, the CBI filed a revision petition in the high court. Crime magazine editor Nandakumar too moved the high court against exoneration of Vijayan and the others. The revision petitions have been pending in the high court for almost two years. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said it has become a custom for the Congress to raise the Lavalin case before polls. He said Chandy had conspired with the BJP to use the CBI against Vijayan, who would start a statewide tour on Friday.
