Government hand over Titanium case to CBI
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Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has decided to hand over the high profile Titanium graft case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The case involves former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and former Industry minister Ebrahim Kunju.
The case relates to flaws in setting up of an effluent treatment plant worth Rs 256 crore in the state-owned Travancore Titanium Products Ltd.
The irregularities came to light when Chandy was the Chief Minister during 2004-06.
The corruption case was filed by an employee of the company at the Vigilance Court here.
The names of Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chenithala and former Industries Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju and others also feature in this case.
The project was cleared by Chandy following repeated requests from the trade unions.
Speaking to media persons, the former Chief Minister said he is ready to face any probe.
The CPI-M led V.S. Achuthanandan government took over in 2006 and went ahead with the project.
However, the process of installing the treatment plant was stalled in 2007, and cases were filed.
When the case was first registered in 2006, Chandy and others were not named. However, in 2011, the former Chief Minister's name had surfaced.
The Vigilance probe report that was submitted to the court then had pointed out there was a loss of Rs 80 lakh but it could not hold anyone responsible for that.
