The Kerala High Court ordered the state government to suspend making any payments to contractors related to the contentious AI camera installation for the state’s roads.
After hearing the argument made by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and his predecessor, Congress lawmaker Ramesh Chennithala, a division bench under the leadership of Chief Justice S.V.N.Bhatti issued the first order directing the state government to cease all further payments to the contractors who have been awarded the contract.
“We call upon the defendants to not make any payment, until further orders from this court or after intimation to this court, of any of the annuities through which the present project is implemented,” read the order of the Court.
The bench further decided to direct the petitioner-politicians to file an additional affidavit detailing their policy of zero tolerance to corruption that they practice in discharging their own duties.
Speaking to the media, Chennithala expressed his immense joy at the Court’s initial reaction.
“This was one project that, had it been given, would have cost no more than Rs 80 crore to finish. Instead, it ended up costing Rs 233 crore. According to Chennithala, this would go down as one of the worst scams in our state.
“Therefore, we feel that the petitioners be given liberty to file a confirmation that the very standard they demand in the decision-making process is the same standard they adhere to in their practise in public life,” the bench said.
The court ordered that notices be given to everyone involved and announced that a second hearing would take place in three weeks.
Continued silence from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has made our contention that this project was intended to develop Vijayan’s families evident.
