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SC pauses probe into former Kerala CM Vijayan in graft case

India's Supreme Court has stayed investigations for seven days in a corruption case against Pinarayi Vijayan and two family members, sending the matter back to the Kerala High Court for fresh consideration.

23 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: SC pauses probe into former Kerala CM Vijayan in graft case — Archive photoPhoto: Stevebidmead · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The Supreme Court issued a stay on further investigation in the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena and son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas. The court clarified that the FIR would remain intact, and that it was stalling the investigation while sending the case back to the Kerala High Court for independent adjudication. The stay was granted for seven days to enable Vijayan and the others to pursue an appeal in the High Court.

A single judge had ordered registration of the FIR earlier in October and directed the commencement of investigation. The Supreme Court, in a special sitting during the Dussehra break, allowed Vijayan to appeal against this order. The bench observed that the single judge had not only directed registration of the FIR but also ordered the start of investigations and submission of a final report. The court referenced Section 175(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which requires a report from the public servant's superior officer before an investigation can be ordered into a complaint against a public servant for acts done in official capacity.

The Supreme Court instructed the Enforcement Directorate not to meddle with the powers of other agencies in the matter. Vijayan's counsel informed ED officials in Kochi that he would not appear for questioning scheduled for October 23, citing the Supreme Court's stay of the probe. The High Court Division Bench was set to hear the appeal on October 26, according to reports.

The Enforcement Directorate was expected to oppose the appeal by Vijayan and his family members before the Kerala High Court. Senior ED officials met in Kochi to chart out their legal course of action following the Supreme Court's decision to stay the police probe.

Political parties responded to the court's decision. The BJP, through leader P.K. Krishnadas, alleged that the recent verdict exposed an alleged understanding between the Congress party and the CPI(M) in handling corruption cases, accusing the ruling government of shielding Vijayan. The CPI(M) and BJP traded charges over the matter.

The Kerala High Court was set to independently consider whether any further interim relief should be granted to Vijayan and the others in the case.

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