Kerala High Court Division Bench hears appeals against Single Bench order for FIR in CMRL-Exalogic matter
13 October 2026
On 9 October 2026 a Single Bench of the Kerala High Court directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, based on Enforcement Directorate information in the CMRL-Exalogic case.
Pinarayi Vijayan and T. Veena, among others, filed appeals, saying they were not made parties before the Single Bench.
They argue the transactions were assigned to the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, and that FIR registration by the State Police is barred.
The Division Bench of Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John orally asked why a person must be heard before an FIR is registered.
The Bench orally observed that a case can be registered where there is prima facie reason to believe a crime has occurred.
No interim order was reported.
In plain words
SFIO Serious Fraud Investigation Office — A Union agency that investigates complex corporate fraud.
Writ appeal Writ appeal — An appeal to a Division Bench against a Single Judge's writ order.
VACB Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau — Kerala's agency that investigates corruption cases.