Kerala HC admits CMRL appeal against ED probe, stays action till June 5
The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted an appeal filed by CMRL against a single-judge verdict that allowed the ED to continue its money laundering investigation into the company’s financial dealings with Veena T, daughter of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar heard the matter and posted it for judgment on June 5. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the High Court that it would refrain from taking any precipitative action in connection with the matter until June 5, when the appeal is scheduled for judgment.
Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd challenged the May 26 single-judge verdict, which held that the ED could proceed with its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act even before the Serious Fraud Investigation Office filed a formal FIR or final report.
In its appeal, CMRL argued that the judgment caused it prejudice, stating that the case had been reserved for orders twice, in 2024 and 2025. The company also alleged that the ED was allowed to file additional affidavits after the matter was reserved and that it was not given an opportunity to respond to them.
The additional affidavits referred to an SFIO complaint filed in April 2025, alleging offences under the Companies Act, including fraud-related provisions that qualify as scheduled offences under the PMLA.
CMRL contended that it was denied a hearing on whether the later SFIO complaint could be used to justify an ED investigation that had begun when no scheduled offence existed.
It claimed this amounted to a violation of the principles of natural justice.
The company has sought to set aside the May 26 judgment and stay its operation pending disposal of the appeal.
Following the single-judge order, the ED on May 27 conducted searches at the residences of former CM Vijayan and others as part of its investigation into the CMRL money laundering case involving his daughter.
CMRL had earlier approached the High Court seeking to quash the ED’s Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), summons issued to its officials, and related proceedings, arguing that the agency lacked jurisdiction when the probe was initiated.
The case stems from Income Tax searches conducted at the company’s offices and the residences of its senior executives in January 2019.
It was later investigated by the SFIO following a complaint filed by BJP leader Shone George.
