Chandy playing role of holy sinner: VS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan has alleged that in palmolein case Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is playing the role of a ‘holy sinner’. Criticising the creation of a new post of Deputy Director, Prosecution, in the Vigilance Department, Achuthanandan said the move itself shows the double standards of the Chief Minister.‘’During the tenure of K Karunakaran ministry in 1982-87, this same person as Vigilance legal advisor had given the advice that the palmolein case will not  stand legal scrutiny. However, on March 29, 2000, the Supreme Court itself had made it clear that the FIR on the palmolein case was legally tenable. This itself showed  that the claim of the then legal advisor was hollow. Chandy is now saying that the Deputy Director, Prosecution, would not interfere with the palmolein case. On the one hand, the Chief Minister is saying that the investigation will proceed without hindrance while at the same time he is trying to influence the investigators,’’ Achuthanandan said in a statement.  Achuthanandan alleged that after the Vigilance court ordered continuation of  the probe into the palmolein case, Vigilance Director Desmond Netto had tried to sabotage the case which had been exposed  by the media. Instead of suspending those involved in dereliction of duty, the Chief Minister is trying to protect them, Achuthanandan alleged.