Court orders probe into Oommen Chandy's role in Palmolein oil scam

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 8 (ANI): A special court on Monday asked the prosecution to probe the role of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the 1992 Palmolein oil import deal.

Special Vigilance Judge S Jagadeesh, who passed the order, rejected the report filed by investigators in April last stating there was no need for a further probe to add any more person to the list of accused.

The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau has been asked to submit the report of the investigation within three months.

Oommen Chandy was the Finance Minister in the K. Karunakaran Government, when Palmolein was imported from Malaysia.

The Palmolein oil import scam occurred during the year 1991-92 in Kerala.

The charge sheet in the case was filed in 2000 against Karunakaran and seven senior state government officials, including Chief Vigilance Commissioner Thomas, who was then Kerala Food Secretary.

According to the charge sheet, filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, the accused caused the exchequer a loss of Rs 2.32 crore by importing Palmolein through a Singapore-based firm at exorbitant rates. (ANI)