SC Dismisses Congress MLA Plea Against Kerala CM, Says Fight in Polls, Not Courts

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan seeking an investigation into alleged financial dealings involving Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter, Veena Vijayan, with Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The court emphasized that political battles should be fought before the electorate, not in judicial forums, dealing a significant blow to the Congress party’s campaign against the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala.

The plea stemmed from allegations that Veena Vijayan’s now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL between 2017 and 2020 without providing any services. Kuzhalnadan had approached the Kerala High Court, which on March 28, 2025, rejected his request for a probe, citing insufficient evidence to establish corruption. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, upheld this decision, refusing to entertain the Congress MLA’s appeal.

Senior advocate Guru Krishna Kumar, representing Kuzhalnadan, argued that the high court acknowledged “suspicion” in the transactions but erred in demanding “proven facts” at the pre-cognizance stage. He highlighted three key points: a contract existed between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions, Rs 1.72 crore was paid to Veena Vijayan’s firm, and CMRL admitted before the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board that no services were rendered. However, the Supreme Court remained firm, reiterating that courts are not the arena for political disputes. “Fight your political battles before the electorate,” CJI Gavai stated, dismissing the plea.

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The controversy originated from a Malayalam daily’s report alleging that CMRL paid Veena Vijayan’s firm monthly sums due to her “relationship with a prominent person,” despite no services being provided. The Congress has leveraged these claims to target Vijayan and the CPI(M), accusing them of corruption. Kuzhalnadan’s plea followed a vigilance court’s rejection of his request for an investigation, which the Kerala High Court upheld, stating that the MLA failed to provide facts constituting an offense of corruption. The high court noted that while the allegations raised suspicion, they did not meet the threshold for legal action, though it left open the possibility for Kuzhalnadan to file a fresh complaint with stronger evidence.

The high court also overturned the vigilance court’s observation that Kuzhalnadan’s plea was politically motivated, calling it “premature” and “unwarranted.” A parallel plea by late social activist Gireesh Babu, who passed away during the case, was also dismissed, with an amicus curiae appointed to argue on his behalf.

The Supreme Court’s ruling has sparked fresh debate in Kerala’s politically charged atmosphere, with the Congress intensifying its criticism of Vijayan’s administration. The dismissal reinforces the judiciary’s stance on keeping political disputes out of courtrooms, urging parties to resolve such matters through electoral processes. As the CPI(M) defends its leadership, the Congress is likely to escalate its campaign, framing the issue as a matter of transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case, which continues to fuel tensions between Kerala’s ruling and opposition parties.

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