Kerala High Court Orders Charges Against CM Pinarayi Vijayan in CMRL Payoff Case

The Kerala High Court, in a ruling on a writ petition, has ordered that Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, and several others be charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the CMRL monthly payoff case. The court’s decision follows a petition filed by the opposition, seeking directions to prosecute the chief minister for alleged irregularities in the Metro Rail Limited’s monthly payments. The High Court emphasized that the matter falls within the purview of the Prevention of Corruption Act and that the chief minister cannot be immune from prosecution. The ruling is expected to trigger further investigations and could lead to criminal proceedings against the chief minister and other officials involved in the case. The decision marks a significant step in addressing alleged corruption in the state’s metro rail project.