Kochi: The Special Vigilance Court situated in Muvattupuzha, Kochi, made a significant ruling today, rejecting a plea that had sought a vigilance inquiry against Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter. The plea was lodged in connection to alleged financial dealings involving a private mineral firm and the daughter's IT company, as reported by reliable sources.

The petitioner, Gireesh Babu, a notable social activist, had filed the plea. However, the court dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence to warrant an investigation.

The heart of the matter revolved around Gireesh Babu's appeal for an investigation into suspected illicit financial transactions, potentially constituting bribery, that purportedly transpired among the accused parties. The transactions were allegedly linked to the business interests of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), primarily focusing on mining activities.

Apart from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena T, the petition also named Ramesh Chennithala, a former leader of the state Assembly's opposition, and other prominent figures such as P K Kunhalikutty and V K Ibrahimkunju from the Indian Union Muslim League.

Central to the controversy were financial transactions between CMRL and Veena T's IT firm. An exposé by a Malayalam daily brought to light that CMRL had disbursed a total of Rs. 1.72 crore to Veena T between 2017 and 2020. The financial exchange reportedly stemmed from an agreement between CMRL and Veena's IT company for consultancy and software support services, despite allegations that no actual services were rendered. The report suggested that the payments were consistently made "due to her relationship with a prominent person."

The court's decision marks a pivotal moment in this ongoing controversy, clearing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter of the allegations brought against them. The dismissal underscores the necessity for concrete evidence in matters of such gravity, leaving this chapter concluded without further legal action.

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