Kerala HC directs FIR against former CM Pinarayi Vijayan: What is the CMRL-Exalogic case?

The Kerala High Court has directed the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to file an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several others for alleged illegal payments. The case, known as the CMRL-Exalogic case, involves charges that Veena, the daughter of Vijayan, and her IT firm Exalogic Solutions received illegal payments from the Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).

The payments totaled around Rs 2.78 crore for software development, management, and consultancy services. CMRL, a minerals and chemicals company in Kerala, was allegedly given false invoices for these services, which Exalogic Solutions did not provide. The case emerged in 2023 following Income Tax raids at CMRL, during which Vijayan was the Chief Minister of Kerala.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the matter along with the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Veena and Exalogic have denied any wrongdoing, stating that the payments were part of legitimate business arrangements. The CPI(M) has accused the central agencies of launching politically motivated investigations. The Kerala High Court's order means Vijayan may now face his second major corruption probe.