Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Former Kerala Chief Minister’s Plea

Dragon Media Newsroom

India’s Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition by former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of a first information report against him in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd–Exalogic case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said it would consider constituting a special bench during the Dussehra vacation. If that was not possible, it would take up the matter after the court reopened on October 26. Vijayan’s senior counsel sought immediate protection, citing the risk of arrest. On October 9, the High Court ordered the registration of a report against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, his son-in-law Muhammed Riyas and others. The accused have challenged the order on procedural grounds.

Separately, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Vijayan to appear at its Kochi office on October 23. The agency is investigating allegations that Exalogic, an information-technology company associated with Veena, received improper payments from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. The allegations have not been established by a court.