Will the Kerala HC Address the Plea Regarding Veena Vijayan’s ‘Monthly Payment’ Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Kerala High Court is reviewing a petition for a CBI probe into allegations against Veena Vijayan.
- Significant public and political attention surrounds the case.
- The inquiry could influence perceptions of governance in Kerala.
- Previous state-level investigation petitions were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
- The case raises questions about accountability in political finance.
Kochi, Nov 20 (NationPress) In a significant judicial update, the Kerala High Court has decided to examine a petition requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the purported “monthly payment” case involving Veena Vijayan, the daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The case will now be scrutinized by a newly assigned bench led by Justice Anil Narendran.
The court has officially accepted the petition and has sent notices to all involved parties.
Journalist M.R. Ajayan filed the petition, which calls for a CBI investigation based on documents from the Interim Settlement Board. These documents reportedly reveal financial transactions between Veena’s IT company, Exalogic, and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL).
The petitioner posits that the evidence indicates payments were made without adequate services being provided, thereby justifying a central investigation.
In addition to Veena and Exalogic, the petition includes other respondents such as CMRL, its senior executive Sashidharan Kartha, and other CMRL officials.
This development follows two previous division benches of the High Court that had recused themselves from the case.
The reassignment to Justice Narendran’s bench signals a new chapter in the legal examination of this matter, which has garnered notable political and public interest in Kerala.
The court’s decision to issue notices suggests a willingness to assess whether there are prima facie grounds for a CBI inquiry.
Previously, petitions calling for a Vigilance investigation into similar allegations were rejected by the High Court, citing a lack of sufficient grounds for a state-level probe.
However, the petitioner now contends that the nature of these transactions, involving entities registered outside of Kerala and the ramifications of inter-state financial activities, render it appropriate for CBI jurisdiction.
This case has sparked extensive political discourse, with opposition parties claiming misuse of power and conflicts of interest at high governmental levels.
The court is expected to schedule comprehensive hearings soon, which may represent a pivotal legal moment in the controversy surrounding the alleged monthly payment arrangement.