The Supreme Court on Friday indicated that it may constitute a special bench during the Dussehra holidays to hear a plea by former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking protection from arrest and other coercive action in a corruption case linked to the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)-Exalogic payoff.
We are seeking protection from arrest or any other coercive action. It is a matter of liberty. The CJI’s indication came a day after the Kerala high court refused to interfere with an order directing the registration of first information reports (FIRs) against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and his son-in-law, former minister PA Mohamed Riyas, in connection with alleged financial dealings between CMRL and Veena’s now-defunct firm, Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd. The court clarified that its ruling did not take away their right to pursue constitutional or statutory remedies against the registration of the FIRs. The FIRs were registered by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) following the high court’s direction to investigate alleged corruption and conspiracy over payments made by CMRL and an associate concern to Exalogic and Veena. Vijayan is named as the first accused in one FIR. Riyas is the first accused in the other. Veena is named as the second accused in both.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant made the observation after senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Vijayan, sought an urgent hearing, citing the 80-plus leader’s apprehension of arrest and the threat to his personal liberty. “He is an over 80-year-old person now facing arrest. The Supreme Court will remain closed for its Dussehra vacation throughout next week and reopen on October 26.
We are seeking an urgent hearing,” Luthra told the CJI.
Exalogic received ₹ 3 lakh a month, while Veena was paid ₹ 5 lakh monthly as a consultant, despite the alleged absence of corresponding services, according to the FIRs. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
