Kerala to file FIR in CMRL case against Pinarayi Vijayan after HC order

Kerala will register an FIR in the CMRL case after the High Court's direction. The move escalates scrutiny of alleged payments linked to Pinarayi Vijayan's family.

In Short

• Vigilance bureau will initiate procedures after court rejected need for inquiry
• ED report alleges suspicious payments linked to Veena and Muhammad Riyas
• Exalogic Solutions allegedly received Rs 2.78 crore as fake consultancy fees

The Kerala government will ask the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR on Monday in the alleged CMRL bribery case involving Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan and his family, Ramesh Chennithala said on Saturday. The move follows a Kerala High Court directive ordering the state to register a case on the basis of an Enforcement Directorate report submitted to the police.

The High Court on Friday said a preliminary inquiry was not needed, clearing the way for a formal case. The ED has alleged that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited made payments involving Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and son-in-law P A Muhammad Riyas, an MLA, and has sought registration of a case based on material gathered during its probe and searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Speaking to reporters, Chennithala said the government would act in line with the court order. "We will respect the court's verdict. In compliance with the court's verdict and in light of the judgment now issued, we will proceed with the procedures. Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau will file an FIR on Monday," he said.

He said the government had taken a measured approach by seeking a preliminary inquiry on legal advice, but accepted the court's finding that such an inquiry was unnecessary. The ED has alleged that CMRL made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, in the name of IT consultancy services.

Asked about the CPI(M) general secretary's argument that the case would not stand in any court, Chennithala said the High Court ruling had made the position clear. "It is now proven that it will stand in that court. Didn't we all see the High Court's verdict? So based on that court verdict, the government will act," he said, adding that the government would not appeal against the verdict.

On the Coakroach Janata Party's claim that the change of government in Kerala was linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Chennithala rejected the charge. "The people overturned the 10-year misrule of the Pinarayi Vijayan administration through their ballot. That is what happened in Kerala," he said, adding that even those who lost the election had not raised objections.

Chennithala also said the political struggle led by Rahul Gandhi would continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigned, describing it as a fight to protect Indian and parliamentary democracy. In short, the state will register an FIR in the CMRL case following the High Court order, and the government has said it will follow the ruling without filing an appeal.

- Ends