The Supreme Court recently declined to hear a petition filed by MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The plea concerned alleged financial dealings between Exalogic Solutions Limited, a company previously owned by the Chief Minister’s daughter T. Veena, and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, addressing senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar (representing Mr. Kuzhalnadan), emphasized, “This court is not a platform for fighting political battles.” Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appeared on behalf of Mr. Vijayan and other respondents.
This decision follows a ruling by the Kerala High Court in March, which had previously deemed Mr. Kuzhalnadan’s original plea to be politically motivated. Chief Justice Gavai reiterated the judiciary’s stance, stating, “We have consistently said that we do not want the court to be used for political matters.”
Earlier, Mr. Kuzhalnadan had contested a Special Court of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau’s dismissal of his request for an investigation into these financial transactions. His petition to the special court alleged that CMRL paid ₹1.72 crore to Exalogic for services that were never rendered. He further claimed that these payments were intended to facilitate the procurement of mineral sand from the Thottappally spillway, which is mined by Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd.