Kochi, 15 Oct (H.S.):The Kerala High Court will on Thursday deliver its verdict on petitions seeking permission to appeal against a single judge’s order directing a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) and Exalogic.

The decision will be crucial for Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and her husband, former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, who are among those seeking leave to challenge the order.

A Division Bench comprising Justices K. Natarajan and Johnson John will pronounce the verdict. Since the petitioners were not parties to the proceedings before the single judge, they require the Division Bench’s permission for their appeals to be admitted.

The Bench reserved its decision after hearing the state government, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the petitioner who had approached the single judge.

The court has clarified that requests for interim relief, including a stay on the Vigilance investigation, could be considered if permission to appeal is granted. Thursday’s ruling will therefore determine whether the petitioners can proceed with their challenge and seek relief against the investigation.

The single judge had set aside the state government’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team for a preliminary inquiry into the financial transactions. Instead, the court directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR and investigate on the basis of a letter forwarded by the ED.

The order followed a petition filed by K.M. Shajahan seeking action in connection with the CMRL transactions.

Following the directive, Vigilance registered two FIRs relating to the alleged financial irregularities. The case against Vijayan was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The proceedings concern allegations surrounding financial dealings involving CMRL and Exalogic. The immediate issue before the Division Bench is permission to appeal; the allegations remain subject to investigation and subsequent judicial scrutiny.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman