News Desk: Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of an FIR in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. He has also sought protection from coercive action as the investigation moves forward.
Vijayan’s lawyer, Sidharth Luthra, mentioned the plea for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on Friday. He informed the court that an FIR had already been registered in the case and requested protection for his client.
The Chief Justice said the matter would ordinarily be heard after the Supreme Court reopens on October 26 following the Dussehra vacation. However, he indicated that a special bench might be constituted during the holidays next week, subject to the availability of judges.
The development comes a day after the Kerala High Court dismissed pleas filed by Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and her husband, P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an earlier order directing the registration of an FIR.
On October 9, a single judge of the Kerala High Court directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register a case based on a report submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the state police.
The three had argued before the High Court’s division bench that they were not given an opportunity to present their case before the single judge issued the direction. However, the division bench rejected their applications to file appeals and consequently dismissed the appeals.
The High Court observed that an accused in a corruption case has no legal right to be heard before an FIR is registered.
The case centres on allegations involving payments made by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company associated with Veena T.
According to the Enforcement Directorate, CMRL allegedly made fraudulent payments amounting to ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions under the guise of information technology consultancy services.
The agency sought the registration of a criminal case based on evidence gathered during its investigation and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The allegations are at the centre of the ongoing legal proceedings, and the latest development places the matter before the Supreme Court.
The apex court’s next steps will determine when Vijayan’s challenge is heard and whether any interim protection is granted while the case proceeds.
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