Kerala HC dismisses pleas seeking vigilance probe against CM Pinarayi Vijayan and daughter
text_fields
The Kerala High Court on Friday rejected two petitions requesting a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department investigation into allegations involving Exalogic, an IT firm owned by Veena Vijayan, daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The allegations claimed that Exalogic received regular payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), a Kochi-based mining company, in exchange for mining approvals.
The petitions were filed separately by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan and Kochi resident Gireesh Babu, who passed away last year. Kuzhalnadan approached the High Court after his plea was previously dismissed by the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court. Similarly, Babu's petition had been rejected by a Vigilance Court in Ernakulam. Following Babu’s death, an amicus curiae was appointed to continue the case.
Kuzhalnadan has been actively pursuing the case, with various agencies including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), and Income Tax Department collecting statements from several individuals. The issue initially emerged when a report from the Income Tax Settlement Board indicated that Exalogic had received ₹1.72 crore from CMRL.
Speaking to the media, Kuzhalnadan expressed disappointment over the dismissal of his revision petition, noting that the court cited insufficient evidence. However, he emphasised that the lower court’s observation labeling the case as politically motivated had been removed. “My fight will continue, and I will discuss the matter with my party seniors. I remain convinced that this was a corrupt transaction,” Kuzhalnadan said.
While the High Court’s dismissal provides temporary relief to CM Vijayan and his daughter, investigations by the ED and SFIO are still ongoing. Final clearance will depend on the conclusions of these probes.
State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian defended CM Vijayan, highlighting his statement in the Assembly asserting his innocence. “Those who know Vijayan never believed these allegations, and now the court has also given the green signal,” Cherian said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Shaun George, who initially brought the matter before the SFIO, maintained that the case falls under corporate fraud rather than a vigilance matter. He noted that the SFIO investigation, currently before the Delhi High Court, is nearing completion. “Once the report is released, the truth will be clear,” George remarked.