Kochi: The Kerala High Court has rejected the plea of former public works secretary TO Sooraj to quash the case against him in the Palarivattom bridge scam. Justice Narayana Pisharody’s order rejected Sooraj’s contention that the case was registered against him without prior permission.
The court upheld Vigilance’s contention that the case against Sooraj was filed with the permission of the government. Sooraj had approached the court stating that the vigilance had filed a case against him without the prior permission of the government under the new provision in the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Vigilance said the government had ordered the probe based on a letter from the Public Works Minister seeking an inquiry into the involvement of officials from the Kerala Road Fund Board, Roads and Bridges Corporation, and Kitco in the construction of the bridge.
After examining the allegations, the Additional Chief Secretary ordered an inquiry in good faith. Vigilance told the court that the case was registered against the officers as public servants.
