Palmolein case posted to October 25

Monday, October 10, 2011: The Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court has on Monday posted for October 25th, the hearing in the 1992 palmolein import case.

The case related to loss to the tune of Rs 2.32 core allegedly caused to the exchequer by import of palmolein in 1991-1992 when late Congress leader K Karunakaran was the chief minister and PJ Thomas, the Food Secretary and a member of the Board of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation.

Thomas figures as the eighth accused in the charge sheet filed by the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau in 2003. According to the charge sheet, filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, the caused accused the exchequer a loss of Rs 2.32 crore by importing palmolein through a Malaysia based firm at exorbitant rates.

Late Karunakaran was the first accused in the case in which Former Food Minister and congress leader TH Musthafa, senior IAS Officer Giji Thomson, then Managing Director of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, Former Chief Secretary S Padmakumar, Former Chairman of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Zachariah Mathew, and two representatives of the Malaysia based Power and Energy Ltd are the other accused.