P C George seeks action against Special Judge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Government chief whip P C George has written to President Pratibha Patil seeking action against the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Thiruvananthapuram, P K Haneefa, for ordering further investigation into the palmolein case.George, in an 11-page letter, said the order passed on August 8 was illegal and untenable.The Judge appeared bent on ‘arraying’ Chief Minister Oommen Chandy among the accused, George alleged.He said that the Judge had ordered further investigation violating procedural norms, and, “strong presumption arises that he acted mala fide under the influence or persuasion of someone behind the screen.’’ A court is entitled to direct a further investigation, if and only if, the investigation is found to be tainted, unfair or otherwise essential to the ends of justice.George alleged that the Judge was ‘over-enthusiastic’ to have a further investigation conducted without any request from the prosecution side.In passing the said order, the “concerned judge has proved himself to be incompetent, imprisoned by the demon of mala fides and boosted by the craze of self aggrandizement,’’ George said.Investigations had revealed nothing about the involvement of CM in the palmolein case and therefore, any man of ordinary prudence may have a doubt that the learned judge acted on the basis of some extraneous consideration or influence to get hold of (Chandy) at any cost,’’ he has written.