What lies ahead for Pinarayi Vijayan as decks are cleared for FIR against him?

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau is set to file a criminal complaint against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, son-in-law, and others on Monday over a payoff scandal involving his daughter's IT firm. The High Court mandated the VACB to register the FIR based on the Enforcement Directorate's report submitted to the state police chief last month.

The ED is also investigating allegations that Vijayan's daughter's firm, Exalogic Solutions, received illicit payments from Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited during the CPI(M) government's tenure. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala confirmed the government's compliance with the High Court's directive, ruling out an appeal against the verdict.

Chennithala stated that the government was adhering to the law, despite the court's decision that a preliminary probe was not mandatory before registering an FIR. Former CPI(M) worker K M Shajahan intends to challenge the government's decision in court, with the party vowing to employ legal and political options to counter what it perceives as an attempt to target Vijayan.

BJP alleged that the decision to initiate the probe was influenced by an understanding between the CPI(M) and the Congress, citing an Income Tax Department report naming Congress leaders among those who received payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited.