New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday declined to stay the Kerala High Court order that quashed the state government's decision to withdraw the Palmolein case.
Rejecting former minister T. H. Mustafa’s plea demanding a stay on the High Court order, the apex court said the case cannot be withdrawn as it is politically important.
The Supreme Court dismissed the argument that the government had decided to withdraw the case using its discretionary powers.
A trial court had earlier rejected the government order to withdraw the Palmolein case. Following it, the state government had approached the Kerala High Court challenging the trial court's order. But, the High Court upheld the trial court order in the case.
The case pertains to alleged corruption in import of palmolein through a Singapore-based firm when Karunakaran was Chief Minister in 1992.