Palarivattom flyover scam: No chargesheet yet as Centre delays granting prosecution

Kochi: Despite the completion of the investigation into the notorious Palarivattom flyover scam years ago, the Vigilance Department has been unable to file a chargesheet in the case before the court. The Centre’s delay in granting permission to proceed with the prosecution is cited as the reason. Prominent figures implicated in the case include former PWD minister V K Ebrahim Kunju.

As two IAS officers are also involved in the case, obtaining permission from the Centre is necessary to proceed with the prosecution. And hence a final report could not be filed so far. Although the Vigilance had written to the Centre seeking permission, no response has been received from the government.

As per the Prevention of Corruption Act, whoever has the right to dismiss a tainted official should grant permission to conduct prosecution against the person. IAS officers T O Sooraj and A P M Mohammed Haneesh were the other accused in the case. 

The Vigilance had completed the investigation in the case back in December 2022, following which the ED also conducted a probe. As per law, permission for prosecution should be granted within 4 months after the probe. However, the Vigilance could not give any clear explanation for the delay. 

The Palarivattom Scam:  

The controversial Palarivattom flyover was built on the by-pass, part of the NH-66, passing through Ernakulam town. The Vigilance initiated the probe after the flyover collapsed within two years of commissioning. The Vigilance detected a loss worth Rs 13.45 crore to the treasury through the construction of the flyover. 

V K Ibrahim Kunju and T O Sooraj were arrested in the case. The first accused in the case is Sumeet Goyal, managing director of the contracting firm RDS Projects Ltd, which was entrusted with the construction of the flyover.