Kochi: The Kerala High Court has asked the CBI specific questions on the controversial SNC-Lavalin deal. It asked the investigating agency to clarify “certain points” in relation to Lavalin contract and initial Memorandum of Understanding. The HC also asked whether the accused got any pecuniary advantage. It laid down nine questions and asked the CBI to answer it on or before March 15. The court directed CBI to give details regarding persons arraigned as accused during the process of investigation, and also the circumstances and the materials on the basis of which they were subsequently arraigned as accused in SNC-Lavalin case.
The nature of the conspiracy at the later stage, alleged by the CBI should also be informed presented in the court. The court observed that the case involves different categories of accused, different stages of transaction and different stages of conspiracy. It passed the interim order while considering the revision petition filed by CBI seeking to quash the order of Thiruvanant-hapuram CBI Special court acquitting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vija-yan and others in case. CBI submitted that the special court failed to consider the material and crucial deposition of around 150 witnesses which proves the conspiracy involved in the case.
The statement by the parties should also include the persons arraigned as accused at the initial stage as regards the initial contract and the conspiracy surrounding that contract. The court further asked to explain if the alleged offer made by SNC Lavalin to provide funds for establishment of Malabar Cancer Centre was actually part of the MoU or the first contract. “Under what circumstances was such an offer made or happened to be made, and how, or in what circumstances it was accepted by the KSEB.” CBI submitted that the accused had dubious interest to award the contract to Lavalin and even misled council of ministers about the project.
