Lavalin case: Kerala govt won't prosecute Pinarayi

The Left Democratic Front-led Kerala government on Wednesday accepted the Advocate General's advice against granting permission to prosecute former minister and CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin corruption case.

According to LDF sources, the cabinet formulated its view in the matter based on the opinion given last week by AG Sudhakaran Prasad that there was no firm ground to prosecute Vijayan.

Meanwhile, Congress-led United Democratic Front has called a strike on Thursday in protest against the government decision. After the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told media persons that the government had formed its opinion on the issue and the governor would be informed of it. He, however, declined to reveal the content of the communication to be sent to the governor.

"We have taken our decision on the issue. But I don't intend to share it with media," Achuthanandan said.

CBI, which investigated the case, sought the permission of Governor R S Gavai to prosecute Vijayan and two officials. CBI sought to arraign the former minister as ninth accused.

The politically-sensitive case pertained to alleged corruption in awarding contract to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin for renovation of three hydro power stations when Vijayan was power minister in 1997.

CBI said it found ground for prosecuting Vijayan stating that he was involved in a conspiracy with others for clinching the deal which resulted in a big loss to the state.