Supreme Court stays investigation for seven days

The Supreme Court on October 21, 2026 stayed a Kerala Police investigation into a corruption FIR against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and son-in-law P.A. Mohamed Riyas.

The case involves CMRL-Exalogic payoff allegations

The FIR relates to the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case. A Single Judge Bench of the Kerala High Court had directed police to register it under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

ED information prompted the FIR registration

The Kerala High Court based its order on information given by the Directorate of Enforcement to Kerala Police under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Vijayan denied appeal permission by High Court

On October 15, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court denied Vijayan, his daughter and son-in-law leave to appeal the Single Judge Bench order of October 9, forcing them to approach the Supreme Court.

Special Bench convened during Dussehra vacations

A Special Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana convened during Dussehra vacations to hear eighty-two-year-old Vijayan, who voiced fears of imminent arrest.

Vijayan claims procedural violations in FIR order

Vijayan and his co-petitioners, represented by senior advocates Siddharth Luthra, N. Hariharan and Krishna Dev Jagarlamudi, submitted they were neither made parties nor heard before the FIR registration was ordered.

Court rejects ED's interpretation of PMLA

Justice Bagchi said Section 66(2) of the PMLA was not a mandate but only an intimation of information. The police alone must decide if any other law applied requiring an FIR.

“The PMLA cannot be a 'Super Administrator', mandating everything everywhere.”

Justice Bagchi warns ED against overreach

Justice Bagchi advised the ED not to extend its statutory powers under the PMLA.While the ED had full powers to investigate under the PMLA, it would not meddle in the statutory domains of other entities.

High Court must address procedural issues

The Supreme Court set aside the October 15 High Court order and directed the Division Bench to hear Vijayan's appeals against the FIR registration, considering procedural violations and new criminal procedure provisions.

Investigation stays pending High Court decision

Justice Bagchi stated the FIR would be maintained but investigation would not proceed until the High Court Division Bench decided the appeals. The court gave liberty to challenge the Enforcement Case Information Report separately.

“We will not disturb the FIR, but we will stall the investigation. Further, we are sending this case back to the High Court for adjudication.”