Stay on Titanium case extended for two more weeks

Kochi: The High Court Monday extended the stay on the operation of the Vigilance court order in the Travancore Titanium case by a further two weeks.

The order in this regard was issued by Justice A Hariprasad when a petition by T Balakrishnan,former Industries secretary and ex-chairman of Travancore Titanium challenging the legality of the proceedings before the Thiruvanthapuram Vigilance court, came up before the court.

Earlier, while admitting the petition, the High Court had ordered three weeks stay and issued notices to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Home minister Ramesh Chennithala, PWD minister V K Ibrahim Kunju and other respondents.

According to the petitioner, there was no prosecution sanction to proceed against the accused who are public servants. It was also contended that by the judgement, the vigilance court had pronounced the guilt even before the registration of the crime.

The Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance court had on August 28 ordered further investigation in the case relating to alleged corruption in setting up of an effluent treatment plant in TTP,during Chandy's earlier stint as CM in 2005.

While demands for Chandy's resignation has come in from the opposition, the Chief Minister has made it clear that he would not resign and was prepared to face any probe.