CBI presses for trial in SNC Lavalin case

Kochi: The CBI  on Monday began its arguments in the SNC- Lavalin case in the High Court and submitted that a trial in the case was  necessary as a conspiracy was hatched at different stages. As the agency had collected evidence in the  case against the accused, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan,  trial was necessary to prove the involvement of all the accused. The CBI's plea against the CBI special court’s verdict discharging all the accused in the case is pending before the court.

The CBI counsel submitted that the accused had hatched a conspiracy at various stages of the project. Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve had appeared for Mr Pinarayi Vijayan in the case and he argued that the chargesheet in the case was  weak. He rubbished the chargesheet and criticised the CBI for framing Pinarayi Vijayane. The main contention of  Vijayan was that the case was politically motivated.

The allegation relates to the award of supply contract to a Canadian company – SNC-Lavalin Inc. regarding renovation and modernization (R&M) of three hydro- electric projects-- Pallivasal, Sengulam and Panniar-- by the KSEB  in total violation of rules and regulations at an exorbitant rate. Mr  Pinarayi Vijayan was the then power minister.  The Thiruvananthapuram CBI court had discharged  Mr VIjayan and others in the case.