Thiruvananthapuram, 21 Oct (H.S.): The Supreme Court’s vacation bench will on Wednesday hear petitions filed by Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and his family challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of a Vigilance case in the CMRL–Exalogic financial transactions matter.

A bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana will consider the petitions. The apex court had earlier indicated that the matter would be listed after the vacation.

However, Vijayan’s counsel subsequently approached a bench headed by the Chief Justice, submitting that a case had already been registered and further investigative action could follow. The matter was consequently listed for Wednesday.

Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and his son-in-law and former minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas have challenged the High Court single bench’s direction to register a Vigilance FIR over the alleged monthly payment arrangement.

Their principal request is for a stay on the High Court order directing proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act, based on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate.

According to the ED’s findings cited in the matter, Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited allegedly paid more than ₹3 lakh a month to Exalogic Solutions, a company owned by Veena, under a service agreement between 2017 and 2019.

Veena allegedly received separate payments during the same period towards IT and marketing consultancy services. The transactions under scrutiny reportedly totalled ₹3.28 crore.

The ED has also issued a notice asking Vijayan to appear for questioning on Friday in connection with its investigation into the financial dealings between CMRL and Exalogic.

The agency had previously conducted searches in two phases as part of the investigation.

Acting on the ED’s communication, the Vigilance department has registered two FIRs. The petitions seek judicial intervention against the High Court’s direction, with the petitioners seeking a stay as the investigative proceedings move forward.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman