NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear the final argument on the pleas filed against acquitting Pinarayi Vijayan in the SNC Lavalin case, in April. When the case came for consideration, a demand was voiced that solicitor general Tushar Mehta who appeared for the CBI should hear the argument. The court is considering CBIs plea seeking cancellation of high court’s verdict acquitting three including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the demand of three KSEB former officials seeking exemption from the case.

The SNC-Lavalin case relates to the award of a contract to a Canadian company for the renovation and modernization of three hydel power projects in the state in 1997. The case is related to the agreement signed with Lavalin. Pinarayi was the power minister of the state then. The investigation agency had accused the chief minister of swindling Rs 375 crore. The contract was awarded when he was in Canada and is believed to have caused huge losses to the Kerala State Electricity Board.