SNC-Lavalin case: HC issues notices to Vijayan

A division Bench of the Kerala High Court,which is hearing the Lavalin case,on Monday issued notices to the three accused,including CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan,seeking their opinion on whether prior Government sanction was required or not to prosecute them. Other two are first accused K Mohana Chandran (former power secretary) and 10th accused A Francis (former joint secretary power). Pinarayi is the ninth accused in the case being probed by the CBI.

Last week,chief editor of Crime T P Nandakumar had moved the Division Bench,asking to make clear whether Governor’s sanction was required to prosecute Pinarayi,a former minister,and the Chief Secretary’s nod for prosecuting two other retired bureaucrats.

Nandakumar said the court should issue necessary direction to avoid delay on the part of the Government and the investigating agency in prosecuting the accused. The petitioner said the accused should be heard before the court takes a final decision on the question of obtaining necessary sanction to prosecute them. If they are not heard at this stage,chances of the accused moving the court for stay could not be ruled out.

Hence,the court asked the accused to file counter-affidavit on the petition on or before February 9.