# Kerala HC asks state why no FIR in CMRL pay-off case against Vijayan

2026-09-26T15:11:23+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

The Kerala High Court on Saturday asked the state government why it has not registered an FIR based on materials forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate in the CMRL pay-off case involving former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his family. The ED told the court that the state police must register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act after its probe found that Vijayan received Rs 3.28 crore from Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Ltd through his daughter Veena T under a sham agreement. The state Advocate General argued that an FIR could be registered only after a preliminary inquiry, and that the petition was not maintainable. The court noted a legal question: whether the police have any option other than registering an FIR when the ED forwards information under Section 66(2) of the PMLA. The court directed the ED to produce its materials in a sealed cover. The matter will be heard next on September 29.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Hindu and New Indian Express both lead with the court asking the state why no FIR was registered, framing the government's preliminary inquiry as legally questionable. Barandbench and India Today give more weight to the state's argument that a preliminary inquiry is permissible, but all four report the ED's insistence that registration is mandatory. The coverage is uniform straight reporting with no discernible slant. The September 29 hearing will test whether Section 66(2) of the PMLA overrides police discretion on preliminary inquiries.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Sep/26/kerala-hc-asks-state-government-why-no-fir-on-ed-finding-in-pay-off-case-involving-kerala-ex-cm-pinarayi-vijayan>
  Leads with court's question to state, reports both sides evenly
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cmrl-exalogic-payoff-case-ed-affirms-offence-found-during-probe-under-pmla-act-warrants-investigation-by-state-police/article71512425.ece>
  Leads with ED's position, includes state counter and court query
- barandbench.com (neutral report) <https://www.barandbench.com/news/cmrl-exalogic-case-ed-tells-kerala-high-court-police-bound-to-register-fir-against-ex-cm-pinarayi-vijayan>
  Leads with legal question, reports ED and state positions without slant
- indiatoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/cmrl-bribery-case-kerala-high-court-seeks-ed-records-on-pinarayi-vijayan-family-ptag-3003784-2026-09-26?utm_source=rss>
  Leads with court seeking ED records, balanced on rival arguments

Tags: CMRL, Enforcement Directorate, Kerala High Court, Pinarayi Vijayan, PMLA, Prevention of Corruption Act
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