SC likely to set up special bench during Dussehra break to hear Vijayan’s plea
The Supreme Court of India is considering establishing a special bench during the Dussehra holiday to hear a plea from former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who seeks protection from arrest and coercive measures in a corruption case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd. Vijayan, who is over 80 years old, argues that his personal liberty is at risk due to pending criminal charges. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, noted that the case cannot be scheduled in the regular docket due to an overflow of cases and suggested a special bench might be necessary. This follows a recent decision by the Kerala High Court, which denied intervention in the registration of FIRs against Vijayan, his daughter, and his son-in-law, stating that individuals accused of corruption have no legal right to challenge FIR registration before it occurs.
Pinarayi Vijayan, former Chief Minister of Kerala and current Leader of the Opposition, has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Kerala High Court order directing the registration of an FIR against him in the alleged ₹278-crore Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL)-Exalogic bribery case. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday (October 16, 2026) agreed to consider the petition during the Supreme Court’s Dasara holiday period. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra and advocate Krishna Dev Jagarlamudi, representing Vijayan, requested an early hearing, noting that an 82-year-old man faces potential arrest. Vijayan’s petition argues that registering an FIR against him would cause “grave prejudice and irreparable harm.” He claims no evidence exists linking him to the case, stating that the allegations rest solely on a retracted statement and his familial relationship with his daughter, T. Veena. The petition asserts that the same accusations have repeatedly been dismissed by courts, including the Supreme Court, and that Vijayan was not given an opportunity to respond before the High Court issued its order. The High Court’s Single Judge Bench had directed the registration of the FIR on October 9, 2026, following a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This followed the ED sharing information under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 with the State Police in September 2026. The State government then ordered a preliminary inquiry, which was swiftly set aside by the High Court, leading to the FIR’s registration on October 12. Vijayan’s appeal to the High Court was dismissed by a Division Bench on Thursday, which ruled that an accused in a corruption case does not have a legal right to be heard before an FIR is registered. The bench noted that Vijayan, his daughter, and his son-in-law were not parties to the initial petition filed by advocate K.M. Shajahan, who is now a respondent in the Supreme Court proceedings. The FIRs allege that Exalogic Solutions, a defunct company owned by T. Veena, received ₹3 lakh per month as IT consultancy fees, while Veena herself was allegedly paid ₹5 lakh monthly as a consultant, despite no evidence of actual services rendered. These allegations remain under investigation and judicial review. The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume hearings on October 26 after the Dasara break. Chief Justice Kant suggested that a special bench might be constituted during the holidays if necessary, depending on the availability of judges. The matter highlights ongoing legal disputes surrounding the CMRL-Exalogic case, with Vijayan and his family seeking relief from potential coercive actions by law enforcement authorities.
Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging an order from the High Court requiring the registration of an FIR in a corruption case involving the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), commonly referred to as the CMRL case. His counsel, Sidharth Luthra, requested an urgent hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, arguing that an FIR has already been registered in the matter. This legal move comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct related to CIAL, which has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of high-profile individuals.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of the legal proceedings initiated by Pinarayi Vijayan without apparent bias. It does not employ loaded language, nor does it favor one side over the other. The focus is on the procedural steps taken within the judicial system rather than on ideological or part
Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging an order from the High Court requiring the registration of an FIR in a corruption case involving the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), commonly referred to as the CMRL case. The petition was presented by his lawyer, Sidharth Luthra, who requested an urgent hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The FIR in question relates to allegations of bribery connected to CIAL, which has been a significant legal and political issue in recent years. This move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of governance practices at the airport authority, which has faced multiple allegations of financial impropriety.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal actions taken by Pinarayi Vijayan without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the filing of a petition to challenge an FIR registration order but does not include commentary or biased language that would indicate a clear ideological leaning. The focus remains事实
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has challenged a Kerala High Court order requiring the registration of an FIR in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. The High Court recently dismissed Vijayan’s and his family members’ pleas to appeal against a single-judge directive to register the FIR, stating that an accused in a corruption case does not have a legal right to be heard before an FIR is filed. Vijayan’s lawyer requested the Supreme Court to urgently hear the case and seek protection from coercive actions. The Supreme Court indicated it might consider the matter after resuming sessions on October 26. The FIR was ordered based on a report by the Enforcement Directorate, which alleges that ₹2.78 crore in fraudulent payments were made to Vijayan’s former company, Exalogic Solutions.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal proceedings involving a former chief minister and allegations of corruption without overtly favoring any side. It reports on the judicial process, including the High Court's decision and the subsequent challenge to the Supreme Court, using neutral language and citing官方
The Supreme Court of India is considering establishing a special bench during the Dussehra holiday to hear a plea from former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who seeks protection from arrest and coercive measures in a corruption case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd. Vijayan, who is over 80 years old, argues that his personal liberty is at risk due to pending criminal charges. The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, noted that the case cannot be scheduled in the regular docket due to an overflow of cases and suggested a special bench might be necessary. This follows a recent decision by the Kerala High Court, which denied intervention in the registration of FIRs against Vijayan, his daughter, and his son-in-law, stating that individuals accused of corruption have no legal right to challenge FIR registration before it occurs.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, focusing on the legal proceedings and the court's considerations without showing clear favoritism toward either Vijayan or the authorities. It includes direct quotes from legal representatives and explains the procedural aspects of the case without slm
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