Kerala’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and members of his family in connection with the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. The cases were registered on Monday by the agency’s Special Investigation Unit-1 following legal advice and a directive from the Kerala High Court. The development follows scrutiny of alleged payments involving Vijayan’s daughter, Veena T, and a separate allegation concerning the transfer of funds abroad linked to his son-in-law, MLA P A Muhammad Riyas.
The action is based on a report submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Kerala state police, according to sources. The report reportedly contains details of two separate allegations connected to the CMRL case. One concerns payments allegedly made by the company to Veena T, while the other relates to the alleged transfer of money overseas through hawala channels in connection with payments involving Riyas. The VACB has registered separate cases to examine the allegations, with the investigation expected to focus on the transactions and the individuals named in the FIRs.
According to sources, Pinarayi Vijayan has been named as the first accused in the case concerning payments allegedly made by CMRL. The allegations relate to financial transactions involving the company and Vijayan’s daughter. The second FIR concerns the alleged transfer of funds abroad, with Riyas named as the first accused in that case. The two FIRs therefore address distinct allegations, although both arise from material referred to the state police by the Enforcement Directorate.
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Officials said the cases have been registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The registration of the FIRs follows the Kerala High Court’s directive and the consideration of legal advice by the vigilance agency. The court-directed action places the allegations within a formal investigative process, allowing the authorities to examine the material referred by the ED and determine whether the alleged transactions disclose offences under the applicable law. The available information does not establish that the allegations have been proven.
The case involves allegations concerning payments to Veena T and suspected overseas fund transfers associated with Riyas. The registration of an FIR marks the beginning of a criminal investigation and does not, by itself, establish guilt. The precise details of the transactions, the evidence supporting the allegations and the roles of the individuals named will need to be examined by the investigating agency. The two cases will address their respective allegations under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The VACB’s registration of the FIRs marks the latest development in the CMRL matter, following the ED’s report and the High Court’s directive. Further progress will depend on the investigation and the examination of the allegations and supporting material. Vijayan, who is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, and the other individuals named in the cases have not been reported in the supplied material as having been convicted of any offence in connection with these allegations.
Also Read: Kerala High Court Directs Police to Register FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL Bribery Case