CMRL-Exalogic Case: Supreme Court Grants 7-Day Relief To Pinarayi Vijayan, Others

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted seven days’ relief to former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law and Former Minister PA Mohammed Riyas, and others in the alleged CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case.

The court set aside a Kerala High Court order and allowed them to pursue appeals before its Division Bench.

A Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana stayed the investigation by the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for seven days, giving the petitioners time to file their appeals and seek interim relief.

The Bench further said its observations would not affect the merits of the appeals.

The case follows an October 9 Kerala High Court order directing an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act based on ED material.

Vijayan, Veena, Riyas and others moved the Supreme Court after the High Court’s Division Bench declined to stay the order and reserved its decision on their right to appeal.

The Supreme Court held that the petitioners had established a prima facie case to challenge the order. It further noted that the single judge had found that the ED’s material disclosed a cognisable offence, a finding that could affect the petitioners in separate proceedings challenging the FIR.

The Bench noted that the single judge ordered an FIR, investigation and final report, stressing compliance with the Prevention of Corruption Act. It said the stay would allow the Division Bench to consider the matter without opposing an investigation.

The case involves alleged ₹3.28 crore payments by CMRL to Exalogic, founded by Veena, for services the ED claims were not provided.

The ED alleges the payments amounted to a bribe to Vijayan.

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