Kochi , 26 May (H.S.): In a significant development in the alleged financial transactions case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Veena Vijayan, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by the company seeking to quash proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
CMRL had approached the High Court challenging the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered by the ED in connection with allegations of bribery and money laundering. The company had also sought a stay on further proceedings, including summons issued to its officials by the central agency.
Justice T R Ravi pronounced the order dismissing the petition, dealing a setback to the company and its officials who had sought judicial intervention against the ED investigation.
Following the court's decision, counsel appearing for CMRL requested a two-week extension of an earlier interim order that had temporarily deferred the summoning of company officials until the disposal of the petition. However, the court was not inclined to grant the request.
During the proceedings, the court orally observed that extending the interim protection was unnecessary at this stage. Justice Ravi reportedly remarked that without any fresh notice being issued, further action could not proceed immediately and the petitioners would still have the liberty to approach the court again if required.
The petition had been filed by several senior CMRL officials, including Senior Manager N.C. Chandrashekharan, Senior Officer Anju Rachael Kuruvila, Chief Financial Officer K.S. Suresh Kumar and Managing Director S.N. Sasidharan Kartha.
The ED investigation stems from allegations that CMRL had made payments to Veena Vijayan and her company, Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, as well as to other public servants, allegedly in exchange for undue favours. Investigators are examining whether the transactions constituted illegal financial dealings and whether they involved money laundering violations.
The case has drawn considerable political attention in Kerala and continues to remain under investigation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
