SC admits Vijayan's petition in Lavalin scam

The Supreme Court today admitted a petition filed by Kerala State CPM secretary Pinarayi Vijayan challenging the order of the State Governor R S Gavai granting permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute him in a criminal case.

A Bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and B Sudershan Reddy admitted the petition after hearing the counsel for the petitioner who contended that the decision of the State Governor is politically motivated and deserved to be quashed.

Vijayan is facing allegations of causing a loss of crores by awarding contracts for setting up of three power stations in the state to a Canadian firm Lavalin, in violation of rules, when he was Kerala Power Minister in 1995-96.