Kerala High Court Halts SFIO Proceedings in CMRL-Exalogic Case, Grants Temporary Relief to CM’s Daughter Veena Vijayan
In a significant development in the ₹197.7 crore fraud case, the Kerala High Court has stayed the proceedings on the SFIO ( Serious Fraud Investigation Office) report, granting interim relief to the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Veena Vijayan, the daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is accused of receiving bogus payments through her company, Exalogic Solutions, for alleged consultancy services never actually provided.
The SFIO report, which was submitted to the High Court earlier this month, had accused Veena Vijayan of being involved in the fraud, along with several others. The report alleged that Exalogic Solutions had received ₹5.37 crore from CMRL for consultancy services that were never rendered. The report also accused Veena Vijayan of using the funds for personal purposes.
The CMRL and Veena Vijayan had challenged the SFIO report, claiming that it was based on false and misleading information. They sought interim relief, alleging that the report was an attempt to tarnish their reputation and that the allegations were baseless.
The Kerala High Court, while granting the interim relief, has stayed the proceedings on the SFIO report for two months. The court has also directed the SFIO to furnish a detailed report on the investigation, including all the documents and evidence collected during the investigation.
The court’s decision has come as a major relief to Veena Vijayan and CMRL, which had been facing heat over the allegations of corruption. The case has been making headlines for weeks, with many questioning the role of Veena Vijayan and her company in the alleged fraud.
The SFIO had investigated the case following a complaint filed by CMRL, which had alleged that it had been duped by Exalogic Solutions into paying for consultancy services that were never provided. The investigation had uncovered a complex web of transactions, including dubious bank accounts and shell companies, which were allegedly used to funnel the money.
The case has also raised questions about the role of the Chief Minister’s daughter and the alleged lack of transparency in the dealings between CMRL and Exalogic Solutions. Many have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and have demanded that those found guilty be held accountable.
The CMRL had initially claimed that it had paid Exalogic Solutions for consultancy services to improve its operations and efficiency. However, an investigation by the SFIO had revealed that the company had not provided any services, and that the payments were made without any documentation or proof of work done.
The SFIO report had also accused several other individuals and companies of being involved in the fraud. The report had recommended that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) take over the investigation and prosecute those found guilty.
The case is being closely watched, with many expecting the Kerala High Court’s decision to have a significant impact on the investigation and the fate of those accused. The court’s stay on the SFIO report has given Veena Vijayan and CMRL a temporary reprieve, but the investigation is likely to continue, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
