Pinarayi Vijayan named in VACB corruption FIRs over CMRL payoff allegations

The Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has registered two First Information Reports against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena, and his son-in-law P. A. Mohamed Riyas, initiating a formal investigation into bribery and money laundering allegations linked to Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited.

High Court directs formal investigation

The VACB's Special Investigation Unit-1 registered the cases on 12 October following a clear mandate from the Kerala High Court. Justice A. Badharudeen ruled on 9 October that material forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act disclosed sufficient primary evidence of cognisable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The High Court set aside an earlier state move to conduct a preliminary inquiry through a Crime Branch special investigation team, ruling that additional preliminary checks were unnecessary given the ED's findings. The court directed the state anti-corruption agency to register FIRs immediately, examine the evidence, and submit a final report without delay.

Payments and hawala transaction details

The first FIR names Vijayan as the primary accused, alongside Veena and Riyas. It examines allegations that CMRL made payments totalling ₹2.78 crore to Exalogic Solutions, a now-defunct Bengaluru-based software firm owned by Veena, under the guise of consultancy services. The Income Tax Interim Settlement Board had earlier noted in 2023 that ₹1.72 crore was paid between 2017 and 2019 without any verifiable services rendered.

Investigative records submitted by central authorities include statements from former CMRL executives indicating that payments were made to secure influence and public relations benefits associated with Vijayan's former position as chief minister. Total documented transfers to Veena and her firm reach ₹3.28 crore.

The second FIR names Riyas, an MLA and former minister, as the primary accused, with Veena as co-accused. This case focuses on suspected hawala operations and foreign transfers, citing seized documents that list outbound routing of AED 3.49 lakh (approximately ₹85 lakh) through overseas intermediaries.

Institutional integrity and governance

The High Court's directive highlights the robust framework of anti-corruption oversight operating across Indian governance institutions. By ensuring that formal FIRs replace initial administrative delays, the judicial ruling reinforces strict standards of executive accountability.

State officials confirmed that the government will comply fully with the judicial order rather than appeal. While political representatives from the CPI(M) stated they would explore legal remedies, the registration of these FIRs shifts the long-running matter into a rigorous statutory investigation managed directly by state anti-corruption authorities.