Setback for VD Satheesan as Kerala HC dismisses petition seeking CBI probe into K-FON deal

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has dismissed Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan’s petition seeking a CBI investigation into the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) contract dealings. The court observed that no irregularities or illegalities were found in the K-FON project.

The court stated that a CBI investigation was not necessary and the Assembly could conduct a detailed examination after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report is released.

Satheesan had alleged that there was grave corruption involved in the project. His petition pointed out that although payments exceeding 10 per cent of the tender amount are not permissible, the contract was awarded with an increase of up to 40 per cent. It was argued that there was premeditated corruption deal behind the contract.

Earlier, while considering the petition, the High Court had criticised the Opposition Leader. A division bench, including the Chief Justice, then questioned the public interest of the petition and why the court was being used for everything. The court also enquired why the contract from 2018 was being questioned now.