Expressing its displeasure over the delay, the court asked why the authorities had proceeded only against certain accused who were not on good terms with the authorities
If the directive is not complied with by Sept 18, the officer shall appear again to explain the reason, the court added. The bench was considering a 2020 petition filed by M S Anil of Cherthala seeking a thorough and effective vigilance investigation by a special team into the alleged misappropriation of funds under a microfinance scheme for members of the SNDP Yogam.
Justice A Badharudeen directed the backward classes development department additional chief secretary, who appeared personally before the court in compliance with its previous directive, to decide the matter within a week.
Previously, the court had directed the additional chief secretary to decide by Sept 10 on the request for prosecution sanction in the case against the former managing directors of the Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation (KSBCDC) and others, including SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
Kochi : The high court on Friday criticised the state govt for the delay in deciding the vigilance department’s request for prosecution sanction in the microfinance fraud case involving SNDP Yogam office-bearers and orally remarked that “all these are dilatory tactics”. Rejecting the contention that it was a mistake, the court further said, “A mistake may happen to anybody. Expressing its displeasure over the delay, the court orally asked why the authorities had proceeded only against certain accused who were not on good terms with the authorities, while others were allegedly saved. A mistake twice may happen, not usually but exceptionally. Repeatedly doing the same is not a mistake; these are intentional actions with ulterior motives. That cannot be countenanced.”
The directive was not complied with, following which the court on Thursday directed the additional chief secretary to appear before it and explain the reason for the non-compliance.