Kochi, Jan 8 (IANS) The Kerala government's request to withdraw the palm oil import case that happened in 1992 was turned down by a bench of the high court here Thursday.
The state government approached the high court with a review petition after the Thrissur Vigilance Court in January 2014 turned down the request of the government to withdraw the case.
The state government's contention is that there was no corruption involved in the case and since this has been in courts for more than two decades, the future of government officials who were accused in the case, is being affected.
Not a single probe agency has till date said that either political personalities or officials named in the case have committed a crime, Congress legislator P.C. Vishnunath told IANS.
The import of 15,000 tonnes of palm oil was undertaken by the Kerala government in 1992.
The case was registered in 1999 when the Communists, led by E.K. Nayanar, were in power.
Former chief minister K. Karunakaran, then food minister T.H. Mustafa and bureaucrats P.J. Thomas and Jiji Thompson were charged with causing a loss of Rs.2.32 crore to the state exchequer by importing oil from Malaysia at an enhanced price.
Thomas had to step down as the central vigilance commissioner and Thompson's promotion prospects hit a dead-end on account of the inordinate delay in the case.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was the finance minister when the oil was imported and he was listed as a witness in the case.
"Cases like this will affect the morale of officials," said Vishnunath.
Senior CPI-M legislator Thomas Issac said this verdict is a blow to Chandy.
The ODI World Cup is starting in India on October 5. The final of the tournament will be held on
There seems to be no end to the corona infection at the moment. With the arrival of the new varia
The National Medical Commission may issue a notification regarding the National Exit Test. This i
After creating history in SA, Bangladesh shines in World Cup Super League, BAN on top, PAK at 10th
BAN vs SA ODI Series: Bangladesh created history on Wednesday by winning their first ODI series i
Why fire in Uttarakhand's forests? Several hectares of forest wealth destroyed
The forest fires in Uttarakhand are now becoming uncontrollable. The government is taking several
Shikhar Dhawan India vs New Zealand: The Indian team, captained by Shikhar Dhawan, will be on the
iQOO Z6 5G On Amazon: A phone has been launched on Amazon, whose camera is 50MP, has a strong bat
Sri Lanka Crisis: The crisis continues in Sri Lanka. Emergency has been imposed in the entire cou
Katara case: HC refuses early hearing of Vikas Yadav's parole
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday refused early hearing of a parole plea fil
After all, China congratulated Biden-Harris on winning the US election, know what they said
On Friday, China congratulated Joe Biden, who won the US presidential election, and Kamala Harris
