Bribery, disproportionate assets charges can be registered against Pinarayi Vijayan: AG

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has received legal advice that charges, including bribery, can be sustained against Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL-Exalogic case. The Advocate General's legal advice also stated that there is prima facie evidence that Pinarayi Vijayan accepted a bribe.

In the legal opinion given to the government, Advocate General K. Jaju Babu has said that Pinarayi Vijayan can be booked under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The opinion also states that the charge of possessing assets disproportionate to known sources of income under Section 13 (1)(b) can also be sustained against him.

It is believed that the government might order a preliminary inquiry before registering an FIR under these provisions. CMRL had allegedly made payments to T. Veena, the daughter of Pinarayi Vijayan, for services that were not actually provided. Section 7(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act would apply in this matter, according to the legal opinion. It further states that the CMRL Managing Director and others had given statements to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the payments. A Vigilance case can also be registered against CMRL Managing Director S. Sasidharan Kartha for allegedly paying the bribe. An investigation into allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to known sources of income can also be conducted against Veena's husband and former minister Mohammed Riyas.