CBI court dismisses petition by CPI-M leader

Judge P S T Moosath observed that the charge sheet cannot be divided and posted the case for further hearing to April 24 next year.

Vijayan wanted the case against Klaus Triendl, the sixth accused and SNC Lavalin Vice-President and SNC Lavalin, the Canadian company listed as the ninth accused, to be treated as a separate one.

Vijayan, the seventh accused in the case, argued that the trial in the case was getting indefinitely delayed after the CBI investigators failed to execute the warrant of Klaus Triendl.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and corruption in awarding contract for renovation of three hydel projects-- Pallivasal, Sengulam and Panniar-- to Canadian firm, SNC- Lavalin when Vijayan was power minister in the LDF government in mid-1990s, causing a loss of Rs 374.5 crore to the state exchequer.

A charge sheet in the case was filed in 2009.