Case was politically motivated, truth has won: Kerala CM on Lavalin verdict

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on being acquitted in Lavalin case, on Wednesday said the case was politically motivated.

"The case was politically motivated. I am happy that the truth has won," Vijayan said in a press conference.

The Kerala Hight Court on Wednesday acquitted Vijayan and two others in Lavalin case.

The court said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is unable to prove that accused had gained from the alleged deal.

The High Court also found no evidence against Vijayan.

Vijayan was accused of hatching a criminal conspiracy while he was serving as the electricity minister from May 1996 to October 1998.

He, along with others named in the case, was accused of awarding the contract for the renovation and modernisation of few hydroelectric projects to a Canada-based company SNC-Lavalin at exorbitant rates, thereby causing a loss of Rs 374.50 crore to the state.

Besides Vijayan, six others discharged in the case were senior executives of the Kerala State Electricity Board.