SC withdraws fine imposed on central govt in dredger corruption case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has withdrawn the penalty imposed on the central government for providing false information in the dredger corruption case against former DGP Jacob Thomas. A fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed. The action was following a request by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju.

The case alleged irregularities in the purchase of a dredger from a Dutch company while Jacob Thomas was the port director. The central government informed the Supreme Court that they had received a report from Netherlands in connection with the case. The Additional Solicitor General informed the court that the report is being translated into Dutch and has been handed over to the CBI. The court has directed to submit the report within three weeks.

In his affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Jacob Thomas said that the case against him related to the purchase of a cutter suction dredger for KSMDC, is an act of retaliation. He had also alleged that ministers, IAS and IPS high-ranking officials conspired to implicate him in the case. The allegations in the dredger deal do not match the facts. The finance department and the vigilance department have not found any evidence. Not including the minister and the department secretary in the list of accused shows a conspiracy against him. Jacob Thomas also pointed out that the misinformation is being spread by hiding the fact that he was the one who discovered the corruption of the complainant.