Kerala HC Provides Relief to CM Vijayan and Daughter as Vigilance Probe Plea is Rejected

Kochi, March 28 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court on Friday rejected two petitions that called for an investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department regarding allegations that Veena Vijayan’s IT company, Exalogic, received monthly bribes from the Kochi-based mining firm, Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), for securing mining permits.

Veena is the daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and this ruling came after the court reviewed two separate petitions—one submitted by Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan and another by Kochi resident Gireesh Babu, who passed away last year.

Notably, Kuzhalnadan approached the High Court following the dismissal of his petition by the Thiruvananthapuram Vigilance Court, and similarly, Babu’s petition was rejected by another Vigilance Court in Ernakulam.

After Babu’s death, the court appointed an amicus curiae to follow up on the case.

Kuzhalnadan has been closely monitoring this matter. Various agencies, including the ED, SFIO, and Income Tax Department, have gathered statements from several individuals involved.

This controversy initially arose from a statement by the Income Tax Settlement Board, which revealed that Exalogic received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL. Following this, Kuzhalnadan and the Congress party vocalized their opposition against CM Vijayan and his daughter.

Addressing the media, Kuzhalnadan stated on Friday that he had filed a revision petition, which was dismissed. "The court highlighted that I failed to present conclusive evidence, and I can approach the court again once I gather it," he remarked.

“Nevertheless, the lower court’s observation labeling this as a politically motivated case has been removed. My efforts will persist, and I will consult with my party seniors. I understood that I was up against a significant figure, and I firmly believe this involved corruption,” Kuzhalnadan expressed.

While both CM Vijayan and his daughter can now find some relief, a final resolution remains pending as investigations by the ED and SFIO continue. Only when they provide their clearances can the father and daughter truly feel at ease.

In support of CM Vijayan and the CPI(M), State Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian remarked, "We all witnessed CM Vijayan asserting in the Assembly that his hands are clean. Those familiar with Vijayan never doubted the case, and now the court has also affirmed this."

BJP leader Shaun George, who initially brought the case to the SFIO’s attention, stated that this matter falls under the category of corporate fraud, and there is no justification for a Vigilance probe, which is widely recognized.

“The SFIO case currently before the Delhi High Court is nearing its conclusion, and we should await the report. Once received, the facts will be unveiled,” George concluded.