Story perspectives

Kerala High Court rejects Vijayan bid to block FIR

By Drooid · Oct 16, 2026, 10:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Vijayan Appeal Dismissed

Kerala High Court dismissed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s appeal to block the CMRL-Exalogic FIR.
Justices K Natarajan and Johnson John rejected leave-to-appeal applications on October 15, 2026.
The FIR alleges CMRL paid INR2.78 crore to Veena T’s Exalogic Solutions as bribes.
The FIR also charges Vijayan and Veena with receiving INR3.28 crore from CMRL and Empower India Capital.
Vijayan has petitioned the Supreme Court for hearing and arrest protection, with review after the Dussehra break.

Summary

Chennithala Rejects Setback

BJP leader Shone George urged former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to resign as Leader of Opposition.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government acted on legal advice and complied with the law.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala claimed the order was not a setback and involved no political vendetta.
CPI(M) secretary M V Govindan called the FIRs fabricated and accused the UDF government and Enforcement Directorate of an attack.

History

Historical Context

In July 1993, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao was accused of offering money to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MPs to survive a confidence vote. The Supreme Court’s 1995 ruling upheld the JMM’s conviction for bribing legislators, marking a rare anti-corruption verdict. The Kerala High Court’s 2026 rejection of Pinarayi Vijayan’s appeal shows the precedent’s continued influence on Indian political accountability.

1 of 3

Vijayan Appeal Dismissed

Kerala High Court dismissed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s appeal to block the CMRL-Exalogic FIR.
Justices K Natarajan and Johnson John rejected leave-to-appeal applications on October 15, 2026.
The FIR alleges CMRL paid INR2.78 crore to Veena T’s Exalogic Solutions as bribes.
The FIR also charges Vijayan and Veena with receiving INR3.28 crore from CMRL and Empower India Capital.
Vijayan has petitioned the Supreme Court for hearing and arrest protection, with review after the Dussehra break.

1 / 3