The Kerala High Court, on March 28, 2025, dismissed two revision petitions that challenged the Vigilance Court's earlier decision to refuse an investigation into bribery allegations against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Vijayan, and other officials.
High Court’s Decision
Justice K. Babu, who heard the matter, stated:
"Criminal revision petitions stand dismissed."
The court's detailed order is yet to be released.
Background of the Case
The petitions were filed by Gireesh Babu (now deceased) in 2023. He had originally approached the Vigilance Court in Muvattupuzha, seeking an inquiry into an alleged bribery scheme involving senior public officials and private businesses linked to the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL).
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However, the Vigilance Court dismissed the complaint, citing a lack of prima facie evidence and saying that the allegations were too general. Following this, an appeal was made to the Kerala High Court, where Advocate Akhil Vijay was appointed as Amicus Curiae to assist with the case after Gireesh Babu’s passing.
Allegations Against Pinarayi Vijayan and Veena Vijayan
The petitioner accused Veena Thaikandiyil (Veena Vijayan), daughter of CM Pinarayi Vijayan, and her company, Exalogic Solutions Pvt. Ltd., of receiving illegal payments. It was alleged that the money was given in exchange for business favors, leveraging her father’s position as Chief Minister.
The complaint also implicated several other public figures, including:
- Ramesh Chennithala (Congress MLA and former Leader of Opposition)
- MLA P.K. Kunhalikutty
- Former Minister for Public Works V.K. Ibrahim Kunju
- A. Govindan
The accusation was that these individuals received bribes from CMRL in return for favorable treatment in government dealings.
Allegations Against CMRL and Business Payments
The complaint claimed that CMRL's top officials paid large sums to politicians and public servants in exchange for mining rights for ilmenite mineral.
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Those accused from CMRL included:
- Sathivilas Narayan Kartha Sasidharan Kartha (Managing Director)
- K.S. Suresh Kumar (Chief Financial Officer)
- P. Suresh Kumar (Chief General Manager of Finance & Company Secretary)
It was further alleged that monthly payments were made to Exalogic Solutions, Veena Vijayan’s company, under the guise of software service fees. However, the petition claimed that no such services were actually provided, as verified by a corporate office inquiry.
Congress MLA’s Petition Also Dismissed
Apart from Gireesh Babu’s case, another petition was filed by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan before the Vigilance Court in Thiruvananthapuram. He had requested an investigation into the alleged payments made by CMRL to Exalogic Solutions. However, the Vigilance Court had earlier dismissed his plea as well.
With the Kerala High Court now rejecting both revision petitions, the bribery allegations remain unproven, and the case has effectively been closed for now.
Case Title: Gireesh Babu v State of Kerala and Another & Dr. Mathew A. Kuzhalnadan v Pinarayi Vijayan and Others
Case No: Crl. Rev. Pet. 890/ 2023 & Crl. Rev. Pet 588/ 2024
