Wed Apr 16 08:23:26 UTC 2025: ## Kerala High Court Stays Proceedings in CM’s Daughter’s Pay-Off Case

**Kochi, April 16, 2025** – The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed proceedings in a Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) case involving Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) and Veena Thaikkandiyil, daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The court issued the stay order in response to a criminal revision petition filed by CMRL, arguing it wasn’t given notice before the Special Court took cognizance of the SFIO’s complaint.

CMRL’s counsel argued that the Special Court’s decision to issue process without prior notice violated the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The Special Court had previously dismissed this argument, claiming the BNSS didn’t apply because the SFIO complaint was filed under the Companies Act. The High Court, however, deemed the Special Court’s reasoning erroneous and contrary to Supreme Court and High Court guidelines.

The SFIO’s final complaint names several individuals as accused, including Veena Thaikkandiyil, who is accused of fraudulently receiving ₹2.73 crore from CMRL. Other accused include Sasidharan Kartha and his son Saran Kartha, facing charges related to alleged fraudulent transactions totaling over ₹182 crore and a fraudulent commission payment of ₹13 crore. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also received a copy of the complaint.

The High Court stayed the issuance of summons and adjourned the case until after the summer vacation. The court’s decision highlights procedural irregularities in the lower court’s handling of the case, raising concerns about due process.

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