ED issues summons to former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in 'monthly payment' case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a summons to Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the 'monthly payment’ case. Pinarayi has been directed to appear for questioning next Friday. It is understood that a decision on whether to appear will be made later, given the matter is currently being considered by the Supreme Court. There is also a plan to inform the ED about the difficulty in appearing, citing the ongoing Legislative Assembly session.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will consider Pinarayi Vijayan’s petition in the CMRL case soon. The Court would explore the possibility of having it heard by the vacation bench; otherwise, it will be taken up on the 26th. Pinarayi Vijayan and former minister Mohammed Riyas filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging a High Court order related to the CMRL-Exalogic monthly payout case. The petition seeks a stay on the proceedings initiated following the Vigilance FIR.

The High Court Division Bench upheld the single bench order to register an FIR and conduct an investigation in the case. The Division Bench did not consider the request to quash the single-bench order. The court also dismissed the petition filed by Pinarayi, stating that the single bench had not heard his side in the verdict and that the order was unilateral.