HC orders CBI probe into Lavalin case

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court today directed CBI to conduct investigation into the alleged irregularities in the award of a contract to Canadian company SNC Lavalin by the state Electricity Board.

The order in this regard was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice J B Koshy while allowing three PILs seeking to handover the case to CBI from vigilance.

The bench allowed the review petition filed by CBI Director, while rejecting the one filed by the state government.

However, the bench said CBI shall conduct the investigation “untrammeled” by the observation in the judgment.

The court said it has not given its opinion on the merits of the case.

In the review petition, the government sought recalling its order and permission to withdraw the submission made by the then Advocate General that it had taken a decision to entrust the investigation of SNC Lavalin case to CBI.

The case relates to the irregularities in the award of contract to SNC Lavalin by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for undertaking maintenance work of three hydel projects– Pallivasal, Sengulam and Panniyar.