CMRL Bribery Case: Kerala High Court Directs FIR Against Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Family
The Kerala High Court's direction to register a First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case marks a major development in the allegations involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband, P A Mohammed Riyas.
The Kerala High Court's direction to register a First Information Report (FIR) in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case marks a major development in the allegations involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband, P A Mohammed Riyas. The case centres on alleged payments made by CMRL to Veena's now-defunct IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed were linked to corruption.
Kerala HC CMRL Bribery Case: What Are the Allegations?
The case relates to alleged payments made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Veena Vijayan. The ED has alleged that the payments were not genuine fees for IT and consultancy services but were linked to illegal gratification involving her father, who was serving as Kerala Chief Minister at the time. ED Seeks FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan, Daughter and Son-in-law in CMRL Case.
The agency has sought action against Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Vijayan and P A Mohammed Riyas under the Prevention of Corruption Act, among other applicable provisions. These allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
ED Alleges ₹2.78 Crore Payments to Exalogic Solutions
According to the ED, CMRL paid approximately ₹2.78 crore to Veena's company between 2016 and 2021 despite allegedly not receiving corresponding services. The agency has further alleged that the wider arrangement involved ₹3.28 crore in illegal gratification intended for Pinarayi Vijayan.
The ED forwarded its findings to the Kerala State Police Chief under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking a separate corruption case based on the material collected during its investigation.
The agency has also raised allegations concerning suspected hawala transactions involving funds allegedly routed to Dubai. The claims have not been established as proven criminal offences.
Kerala High Court Proceedings and Police Inquiry
The Kerala government had ordered a preliminary police inquiry into the ED's report in September 2026. A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed to examine the allegations.
The High Court had also considered a petition seeking immediate registration of an FIR rather than a preliminary inquiry. During the proceedings, it sought the ED's records to examine whether the police could first conduct a preliminary inquiry into the information provided by the central agency.
Kerala High Court Proceedings and Police Inquiry
The Kerala government had ordered a preliminary police inquiry into the ED's report in September 2026. A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed to examine the allegations.
The High Court had also considered a petition seeking immediate registration of an FIR rather than a preliminary inquiry. During the proceedings, it sought the ED's records to examine whether the police could first conduct a preliminary inquiry into the information provided by the central agency.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2026 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).