Kerala HC Issues Notices to CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Daughter in Corruption Case

GG News Bureau
Kochi, 18th June. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed to send notices to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter, T Veena, following a petition by Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan accusing them of corruption. The court’s decision comes after the Director General of Prosecution questioned the petition, leading to a hearing where the court decided to proceed with the notices and scheduled the next hearing for July 2.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan, speaking to the media, described the court’s directive as a normal procedure, expressing readiness for the detailed hearing. The Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, voiced strong support for Kuzhalnadan’s legal efforts.

Kuzhalnadan’s petition follows the rejection of his plea for a court-monitored investigation by a vigilance court. He has sought a probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department into allegations that Veena Vijayan’s IT firm, Exalogic, received monthly payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) in exchange for mining sanctions.

Multiple agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), and Income Tax Department, have recorded statements from various individuals, excluding T Veena. The case gained prominence last year when Kuzhalnadan highlighted an Income Tax Settlement Board statement indicating that Exalogic received ₹1.72 crore from CMRL.

Additionally, a similar petition alleging corruption by Chief Minister Vijayan was previously filed by a Kochi resident, who later passed away, leading the court to appoint an amicus curiae. The court decided that both petitions, despite their similarities, would be heard separately.