Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL Case

The Kerala High Court has directed the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others in the CMRL-Exalogic case. Justice A. Badharudeen set aside the decision to conduct a preliminary inquiry through a Special Investigation Team without first registering a case. The order follows information forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate concerning alleged financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Exalogic Solutions. The allegations remain subject to investigation and are not established findings of guilt

Kerala High Court Orders FIR Against Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL-Exalogic Case

The Kerala High Court has ordered the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to file an FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others, based on the information provided by the Enforcement Directorate.

Kerala High Court orders FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL-Exalogic case Kerala High Court orders the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to register a first information report against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other suspected persons in the CMRL-Exalogic case.

Justice A. Badharudeen allowed a petition filed by advocate KM Shajahan in Advocate KM Shajahan v. State of Kerala and Others on Friday, 9 October 2026.

The court quashed the decision of the Kerala government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a preliminary inquiry without filing an FIR first. It held that the alleged offences were covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, so as to bring the matter under the jurisdiction of the state vigilance agency.

Kerala High Court orders FIR against Pinarayi Vijayan based on ED information

The court ordered the VACB Director to register an FIR on the information forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The communication dated 07.09.2026 was issued by the Cochin Zonal Office of the ED and was bearing reference number F.No. ECIR/KCZO/11/2024. The court found that the information had enough preliminary material showing cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Justice A. Badharudeen directed the Director General of Police (DGP) or head of the SIT in possession of the information to pass it immediately to the VACB Director. The ED was also asked to send all relevant documents to the vigilance agency.

The court held that when information furnished under Section 66(2) of PMLA discloses a scheduled offence within the state police's investigative jurisdiction, the state police must register an FIR. It held that no further preliminary inquiry was needed in this case.

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CMRL-Exalogic case involves allegations concerning financial transactions

The CMRL-Exalogic case pertains to alleged irregularities in financial transactions between Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a company owned by Vijayan's daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil.

The ED’s investigation allegedly identified certain transactions which needed to be investigated further by the Kerala Police or any other appropriate agency. The allegations pertain to possible offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Shajahan, in his petition, sought to register an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter, her husband, and the then minister PA Muhammed Riyas. He also demanded that the investigation be transferred to the VACB and that action be taken on his complaints of 22 September.

Instead of registering an FIR in the first place, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Crime Branch Additional Director General of Police H Venkatesh to conduct a preliminary inquiry. Shajahan has appealed the decision to the High Court.

ED backs petition as Kerala government raises objections

The ED had backed Shajahan’s plea for an FIR in the proceedings. The agency’s standing counsel Jaishankar V Nair argued that its investigation had revealed several transactions that needed to be examined by the state police or some other competent authority.

Advocate General Jaju Babu, appearing for the Kerala government, questioned the maintainability of the petition as a private writ petition, as it was projected as a public-interest matter. The fact that information was received from the ED did not prevent the state authorities from making their own assessment as to whether an offence had taken place, he said.

The High Court dismissed the objection on the petitioner’s locus standi, saying Shajahan could approach the court as an Indian citizen and a whistleblower. Shajahan had earlier served as Additional Private Secretary to former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan during his time as Leader of the Opposition.

The petitioner was represented by advocates V Sethunath, Thomas Abraham and Shamnas S.

What happens next in the CMRL-Exalogic case

Now, the VACB is under obligation to register the FIR on the basis of information and documents provided by the ED and to proceed as per law. The court order begins the formal process of a criminal investigation, but does not determine that anyone is guilty.

It is a matter for the investigation to establish whether the allegations disclose offences and whether there is sufficient evidence for further legal proceedings. Ordering an FIR does not mean that Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Thaikkandiyil and the other persons named in the petition should be treated as guilty.

Sprouts News will continue to track the case as the investigation begins with the vigilance authorities of Kerala and more details emerge.