The Supreme Court has stayed the further investigation in a case involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil, and son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas over alleged financial irregularities. The court also questioned the role of Enforcement Directorate in registering an FIR.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stayed for seven days further investigation into a case linked to alleged financial irregularities against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil, and son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas. This decision was made in response to their petition challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of a criminal case against them. The stay applies only to further investigation and does not prevent the registration of the first information report (FIR).
The Supreme Court also questioned the role of the Enforcement Directorate in registering an FIR based on their recommendations. The court stated that it needs to examine whether a state agency is required to register an FIR in a corruption case based on a recommendation by the Enforcement Directorate.
On October 9, a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court directed the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter Veena, his son-in-law Riyas and others. This order was based on information provided by the Enforcement Directorate.
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating whether Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, a private company, paid around Rs 1.7 crore to Thaikkandiyil’s Exalogic Solutions with no evidence of any services rendered in return. The mining company, in which the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation has 13.4% stake, had allegedly made these payments between 2017 and 2021.
In May, the ED carried out searches at about 12 locations in Kerala, including the homes of Vijayan’s daughter and son-in-law in Kozhikode. Offices linked to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited officials were also raided.
Source:
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