Kerala High Court Dismisses Appeals by Pinarayi Vijayan and Family in CMRL Payoff Case

Court Decision

Kerala High Court bench comprising Justices K Natarajan and Johnson John dismissed the petitions filed by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, and her husband P.A. Mohamed Riyas. The trio had sought permission to appeal against an earlier October 9 order that directed authorities to register a First Information Report in the massive ₹278-crore Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited payoff matter.

Arguments

Lawyers representing the family argued that the single judge issued the directive without giving them a chance to present their side, which violated basic rules of natural justice since they were not initially made parties to the writ petition filed by lawyer-activist K.M. Shajahan. The original petition before the single judge sought directions for the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to book the leaders under the Prevention of Corruption Act over allegations of taking bribes and routing money abroad through hawala channels. Meanwhile, the Advocate General explained that the state planned to check if details shared by the Enforcement Directorate pointed to a cognizable offence through a preliminary inquiry, a step the single judge set aside.

Context

High court division benches review decisions made by single judges when legal errors or procedural unfairness are claimed by affected parties. Legal disputes involving high-profile political figures often center heavily on whether proper procedures and fair hearing rights were followed before major investigative steps are ordered.