Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday issued notices to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, daughter T Veena and others in connection with alleged illegal financial transactions with Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), media reports said.
Others to get notices are former minister
and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, Muslim league leaders P K Kunhalikutty, V K Ebrahim Kunju, (CMRL) and others, the reports said.
The court directed issuance of notices while hearing a petition filed by social activist Gireesh Babu challenging a Vigilance court order dismissing a plea for a probe into the alleged transactions.
The court issued the notices dismissing
the Vigilance court ruling not to proceed against the leaders.
The vigilance court, Muvattupuzha, said that the petitioner had not furnished any prima facie material to prove his allegations against the leaders and CMRL.
The matter of the leaders receiving financial gratification from CMRL surfaced during a hearing of an appeal by the Interim Board for Settlement a few months back.
The amicus curiae appointed by the High Court found that there was sufficient evidence to order a preliminary investigation into the allegation of financial transactions.
The petitioner had alleged that the political leaders received illegal payments from CMRL
to allow smooth functioning of its mining causing environmental threats, the reports said.
Chennaithala, Kunhalikutty have agreed to accepting financial help from the CMRL as donation to their parties.
HC notices to Pinarayi, daughter, others
