New Delhi, October 16 (H.S.): Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Thaikandiyil and her husband, Mohammed Riyas, have filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging a High Court order directing the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against them in the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)-Exalogic case.

Vijayan’s appeal was mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on Friday morning. Responding to the request, the Chief Justice said the court would consider constituting a Bench during the vacation, depending on the availability of judges. He said the matter would be listed during the vacation if a Bench was available; otherwise, it would be listed on October 26.

Appearing for Vijayan, advocate Siddharth Luthra urged the court to grant interim protection to the CPM leader. He argued that the threat arose from the fact that an FIR had already been registered and that protection was necessary to prevent the 82-year-old leader from being taken into custody. Describing the matter as one involving personal liberty, Luthra said the petitioners would not have sought an urgent hearing had the circumstances not warranted it.

The case concerns alleged irregularities in financial transactions between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a company owned by Veena Thaikandiyil. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that it found evidence pointing towards possible criminal wrongdoing and shared the material with the Kerala Police.

Instead of immediately registering an FIR, the state government decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter.

Advocate K. M. Shajahan challenged the state government’s decision before the Keralam High Court and sought directions for the registration of an FIR. Shajahan had previously served as an additional secretary to former Kerala Chief Minister and CPM leader V. S. Achuthanandan when he was the Leader of the Opposition.

Following the petition, the Keralam High Court directed the registration of an FIR in the case. Vijayan, his daughter and her husband have now approached the Supreme Court to challenge that order.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar