CMRL payoffs case: Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter, son-in-law booked for corruption

Kerala's Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has filed an appeal in the Kerala High Court against a Single Bench's order to register a First Information Report (FIR). The order applies to Vijayan and two others accused in the CMRL Exalogic payoff case. The Single Bench had directed the registration of an FIR, including offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) forwarded all required documents to the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) after finding a predicate offence during its investigation. However, Vijayan and his family have challenged the operation of the Single Bench's judgment and subsequent steps, arguing they were not given a chance to be heard.

They contend that the Single Bench erred in its finding that no further enquiry was needed before registering the FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Vijayan is accused of accumulating disproportionate assets, intentional enrichment, and abetment, while his daughter and son-in-law face charges of money laundering. The case revolves around allegations that Exalogic, a former firm of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, paid monthly sums to Vijayan's daughter from 2017 to 2021 without providing any tangible service.