Kerala High Court Directs Police to Register FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL Bribery Case

The Kerala High Court has allowed a plea seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband, PA Mohamed Riyas, in connection with an alleged bribery case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The court’s decision follows a report submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has alleged that payments made by the mining company to a firm owned by Veena were disguised as fees for information technology consultancy services.

The case centres on alleged payments totalling Rs 2.78 crore made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct company owned by Veena T. According to the ED, the payments were purportedly made under the guise of providing IT consultancy services. The allegations form the basis of the agency’s request for criminal proceedings in the matter, which has drawn attention because of the political positions held by the individuals named.

The High Court’s order directs the police to register an FIR in connection with the allegations against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas, who previously served as a minister in the Kerala government. The development moves the matter towards a formal police investigation into the allegations outlined in the ED’s report. An FIR allows the police to begin investigating a reported offence, but its registration does not establish the guilt of the individuals named.

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The ED’s allegations concern the nature and purpose of the payments made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions. Investigators have alleged that the transactions were not genuine consultancy payments but were instead fraudulent payments presented as fees for professional services. The claims have placed the financial dealings between the company and the mining firm under scrutiny. Further investigation would be required to establish the circumstances surrounding the transactions and determine whether any offence was committed.

The case has also brought renewed attention to the alleged financial relationship between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions. The ED’s report has become a key element in the legal proceedings, with the request for an FIR seeking a police investigation into the conduct of those named. The court’s decision concerns the initiation of that process rather than a final determination on the allegations. The individuals named in the case should not be considered guilty solely on the basis of the allegations or the direction to register an FIR.

The latest order marks a significant development in the proceedings linked to the alleged payments. Police registration of the FIR is expected to provide the basis for investigating the transactions, examining relevant records and establishing the facts surrounding the payments. The case remains an allegation-driven legal matter, and any conclusions regarding criminal responsibility will depend on the evidence gathered and the subsequent legal process.

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