Lavalin case: Vijayan urges CBI to quiz AK Anthony

Kochi, Sep 24: CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, Sep 24 filed a petition in a special court here seeking direction to the CBI to question defence minister AK Antony in SNC Lavalin case.

Vijayan, who did not appear in the CBI court on Thursday, Sep 24 on health grounds, submitted that 'if Anthony and some officials concerned were questioned, the allegation against him would be falsified'.

"AK Antony is a necessary and material witness to be questioned because it was during his tenure, the MoU was entered into and contracts were concluded and it was during his tenure the MoU lapsed," Vijayan submitted.

Vijayan said he was power minister only from May 1996 to Oct 1998 and the charge sheet was submitted on the basis of assumptions that consultancy and supply contracts were entered during his tenure as the minister, which was "incorrect".

Vijayan was charge sheeted by the CBI along with eight others in the case relating to alleged corruption in awarding contracts for renovation of three hydel projects to Canadian firm SNC Lavalin in 1998, when he was the power minister.

OneIndia News