The appointment of former SIDCO managing director Saji Basheer, who is accused in several corruption cases, has kicked up a controversy.Thiruvananthapuram: After the appointment of former SIDCO managing director Saji Basheer, who is accused in several corruption cases, has kicked up a controversy, the industries minister has sought the files related to his posting.
Meanwhile, Saji Basheer has taken charge as the managing director of Kelpalm.
It appears that the industries department itself paved the way for the return of Saji Basheer by not presenting key documents and hiding information in the court.
Saji Basheer was removed from SIDCO by then industries minister EP Jayarajan when Vigilance started investigations against allegations of financial irregularities in SIDCO and other cases against him.
When Saji Basheer moved the HC questioning his removal, the court issued an order to reinstate him and he was appointed as MD of Kelpalm, which is under the industries department.
The court had advised that without an expulsion order Saji Basheer can't be denied a posting indefinitely and if he is a permanent government employee he has to be given a posting.
However, the then industries secretary Paul Antony, who is now the chief secretary, had given a report that Sai Basheer was appointed as temporary DM of SIDCO and that he is not eligible for a government job.
It is alleged that the government failed to bring this report to the notice of the court. Though Saji Basheer was suspended one-and-a-half years ago, the failure to issue an expulsion order also came as a setback for the government in the court.
Contempt of court
"Saji Basheer is not a good official and he was appointed as Kelpalm MD fearing contempt of court proceedings," said industries minister A C Moitheen. "I had noted in the file that no posting should be given to him. If there are lapses in fighting the case, we will inquire about it," said the minister, adding that the government will strongly represent the case against Basheer in the court.
Review petition
Kochi: The government informed the HC that it will file a review petition over the order to reinstate Saji Basheer. The government told the court that as per its order, Saji Basheer will be appointed as the managing director of the Kerla State Palmyrah Products Development and Worker's welfare Corporation Limited (Kelpalm).
The government submission came while a contempt of court petition over not complying with the court order on appointment of Saji Basheer was being heard. Saji Basheer's lawyer informed that an appointment order is yet to be received.
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