Kochi, Sep 25 (IANS) Indian space agency ISRO Tuesday sought to be impleaded in a public interest litigation (PIL) – relating to its alleged purchase of forestland – that is to be taken up by the high court here Wednesday.
The PIL has been filed by D.B. Binu requesting the court to intervene and initiate a full-fledged inquiry into purchase of land by ISRO for a space education institute in Ponmudi near Thiruvananthapuram from high profile businessman Savy Mano Mathew.
B.N. Suresh, the director of Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre unit here, filed an affidavit requesting permission to implead in the case. The affidavit says ISRO’s version should be heard before disposing of the PIL because it had done everything according to the law.
The affidavit also said that if the land purchase were to be cancelled it would be a waste of Rs.40 million of public money.
Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, buckling under pressure from the Congress-led opposition, announced a vigilance probe Monday.
Meanwhile, another case pertaining to the scam that came up for hearing Tuesday at the Trissur Vigilance Court has been posted for hearing Wednesday.