Kerala HC allows plea to register FIR against Vijayan based on ED report in CMRL 'bribery' case

The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered registration of an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others based on the ED report on the alleged CMRL bribery case.The ED had claimed in court that an FIR could be registered against Vijayan. (HT_PRINT)Justice A Badharudeen allowed a plea by advocate K M Shajahan, who contended that the police should register an FIR rather than conduct a preliminary inquiry on the allegations contained in the report of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).Also Read | Keralam govt orders probe against former CM Pinarayi Vijayan and family in CMRL caseA detailed judgment is awaited.The ED had claimed in court that an FIR could be registered against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas based on the report it had submitted to the state police.The ED had claimed that its report could be treated as a preliminary inquiry report and that an FIR could be registered based on it.The contention had been opposed by the state government, which claimed that the report submitted by the agency was not sufficient to register an FIR and that a preliminary inquiry was required.The Congress-led UDF government in Keralam recently ordered a police inquiry based on the ED's letter to the State Police Chief seeking a probe against Vijayan, Veena and Riyas.Also Read | Allegations misleading, not based on facts: Chennithala hits back at Vijayan over Lokayukta meetingThe ED has sought registration of a case based on "evidence" gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.The agency has alleged that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) made fraudulent payments of ₹2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct company Exalogic Solutions under the guise of "IT consultancy services."