SC stays probe in financial irregularities case against ex-Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed for seven days further investigation into a case involving former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter and son-in-law linked to alleged financial irregularities, the Hindustan Times reported.

The court was hearing their petition challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of a criminal case against them over alleged irregularities in financial transactions between state-owned Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited and Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, a company owned by Vijayan’s daughter Veena Thaikkandiyil.

The bench clarified that the stay applied only to further investigation and did not prevent the registration of the first information report. The Kerala Police registered the FIR on October 12 and had begun investigating the case.

On October 9, a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court directed the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR against Vijayan, his daughter Veena, his son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas and others, based on information provided by the Enforcement Directorate.

Vijayan, Veena and Riyas challenged the order before a division bench of the High Court. However, on October 15, the bench refused to permit them to proceed with the appeal because they were not parties to the original case in which the FIR was ordered. The bench said they could challenge...

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