New Delhi:
In a setback for Central Vigilance Commissioner PJ Thomas the Supreme Court made it clear that the trial in the multicrore Palmolein import scam will go on.
The trial had been stayed in the year 2007 based on a petition by former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran as he wanted the charges against him quashed.
But the Court today took note of the fact that since Karunakaran died last month, his appeal has become invalid.
This now means that Thomas, the country's top vigilance officer, will face trial for his role in the import of Palmolein oil by the Kerala government in 1991-92 that incurred a huge loss.
Now, charges will be framed by the Vigilance Court at Trivandrum.
Thomas is hanging on to his post despite strong protests by the Opposition over his alleged role in the Palmolein scam as well as the 2G spectrum scam which took place at a time when he was Telecom Secretary.