Palmolein: Chandy has seen file, says vigilance court

THRISSUR: The Thrissur Vigilance Court verbally stated that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy cannot detach himself in the palmolein case. Vigilance judge S S Vasan said the file in connection with the palmolein import was seen by the then finance minister Chandy. The court made the statement while permitting the removal plea of former chief secretary K Padma Kumar and additional chief secretary Zacharia Mathew, accused in the case.

Chandy had signed the file as the then finance minister and so he cannot say that he has not seen the file. In such a situation, he cannot put the blame on the officials. The additional chief secretary had noted that the finance minister has to see the file. The decisions of the cabinet and the government are executed by the officials, the court pointed.

Chandy was included as the 23rd witness in the case. With the acquittal of the two accused, there are now five accused in the case.

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