HC clears path for Solanki’s prosecution in Rs400 crore scam

In a major setback to the Narendra Modi government, the Gujarat high court has upheld the decision of the state governor, Dr Kamla, to allow the prosecution of state fisheries minister Parshottam Solanki in an alleged Rs400-crore fisheries scam.
Solanki will now face prosecution in a special court under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He is accused of showing undue favour in awarding contracts for fishing at state reservoirs for which no auction was held.
“Powers exercised by the governor are not alien. The decision taken by the Governor is legal, just, proper and well within her right. Therefore, the application is dismissed,” observed Justice RH Shukla while dismissing Solanki’s petition.

Solanki had moved the high court in August this year demanding the quashing of the Governor’s order granting sanction for his prosecution.

He had claimed that a Governor does not have the power to grant sanction for prosecution without the aid and advice of the council of ministers.

 The minister had further claimed that the decision of the Governor overruling the state cabinet and granting sanction of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act was totally illegal, unconstitutional and outside her purview.