The case deals with the alleged corruption in a deal signed by the KSEB with Canada-based firm SNC Lavalin for the renovation of three hydel projects. Kochi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to miss the deadline to file an appeal in the SNC Lavalin case in Supreme Court, challenging the Kerala High Court's order that upheld the discharge of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan by a trial court. However, the central investigation agency said it would file the appeal in Supreme Court and give a written explanation for the delay.
According to rules, an appeal against a court order should be filed within 90 days after the verdict. The 90-day period for the Lavalin case verdict ends on November 21.
While passing the order on August 23, the Kerala HC had stated the CBI had wrongly 'picked' Pinarayi for prosecution in the two-decade-old corruption case. The judge passed the order on a CBI petition filed in 2014 challenging the discharge of Pinarayi and six others by a CBI court in Thiruvananthapuram in November, 2013.
The HC, however, asked the other accused, three KSEB officials, to face trial. Kasturi Ranga Iyer, one of the officials who was asked to face trail, has already approached the SC against the Kerala HC order, seeking similar ruling for others named in the case.
The case deals with the alleged corruption in a deal signed by the KSEB with Canada-based firm SNC Lavalin for the renovation of three hydel projects. There were nine accused in the case, including the Canadian firm and one of its senior executives. However, as the two did not appear in the court, the case was later split and proceedings began against the other seven accused.
They were charged with causing a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state exchequer.
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