Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Developmental Studies saves skin with new cheques

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An out of the court settlement has been made in the civil suit initiated by a construction firm against Congress leaders including AICC president Sonia Gandhi in connection with construction of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Developmental Studies (RGIDS) at Neyyar Dam near here.

RGIDS issued six post-dated cheques for a total amount of Rs 2.80 crore in favour of construction firm Heather Infrastructure. All cheques are payable before September 15. Subsequently the private builder decided to withdraw the civil suit it initiated, sources close to the firm said.

The firm had sent legal notice to Mrs Gandhi, KPCC chief V.M. Sudheeran, his predecessor Ramesh Chennithala and RGIDS director Hidur Muhammed the other day for settling dues towards construction of RGIDS. Mr Muhammed said in a statement that Mrs Gandhi was not at all involved with the institution and her name was unnecessarily dragged into the matter.

“Soniaji is in no way connected to this institution and it is very unfortunate that a false news was propagated,” said Mr Muhammed. However, sources close to the firm said that the name of Mrs Gandhi as AICC chief was mentioned in some of the documents pertaining to the property and hence legal notice was served on her too.