Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil and her husband, Mohammed Riyas, have approached the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court’s direction to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case. The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on Vijayan’s plea, according to published reports.
The case concerns alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions, formerly owned by Veena. The Enforcement Directorate shared information with Kerala authorities, following which a Single Judge of the High Court directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR on October 9, 2026.
On October 15, a Division Bench of Justices K. Natarajan and Johnson John rejected applications seeking permission to appeal against the Single Judge’s order.
The Bench observed,
“When sufficient material disclosing commission of cognizable offences are furnished along with the information under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, there is no necessity for conducting a preliminary inquiry.”
It further held that an accused in a corruption case has no legal right to be heard before an FIR is registered. The Bench clarified that the applicants could pursue other legal remedies against the FIR.
Vijayan subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking relief against the High Court’s order. The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing, with the matter reportedly likely to be considered during the Dussehra vacation or after the Court reopens.
