Palm oil scandal case against K Karunakaran to be withdrawn

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Keeping in view the ongoing State Assembly Elections in Kerala, the State Government has decided to withdraw the palm oil import scandal case pending against former Chief Minister K Kuranakaran.

The state government had moved an application in the Supreme Court seeking permission to withdraw the case.

A bench headed by Mr Justice K G Balakrishanan on Thursday granted permission to the state government to approach the trial court at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

The court however directed that during the hearing of the state application for withdrawal of the case the trial court should also hear the Leader of Opposition in Kerala State Assembly Mr V S Achutanandan.

The case relates to the illegal import of palm oil for Rs 2.80 crore during the tenure of Mr Karunakaran as Chief Minister of the state.

The state approached the Supreme Court as an appeal filed by Mr Karunakaran challenging his prosecution on the ground of invalid sanction, pending in the Supreme Court, and hence it was mandatory for the state government to seek prior permission of the apex court.

A proper sanction is required under section 197 CrPC, for launching prosecution under Prevention of Corruption Act or for any other action which is not in accordance with bonafide discharge of his official duty by a public servant.

It may be noted that Mr Karunakaran a senior Congressman with considerable following in the state, had earlier parted with the party.

But now some understanding is reported to have been reached between Mr Karuanakaran and the Congress.

Congress is trying to retain power in Kerala where it is pitted against the Left Front which is an alliance partner of the UPA government at the Centre.

UNI AKS/SC SRS KP1752