Kochi: In a relief to CMRL and Veena Vijayan, the Kerala High Court has stayed further action based on the SFIO report on the CMRL-Exalogic deal, maintaining the status quo for two months. The order comes on a petition filed by CMRL challenging the findings of the report, which had named Veena—daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan—as one of the accused.

The High Court issued the directive while considering a plea filed by CMRL challenging the findings of the SFIO (Serious Fraud Investigation Office) that levelled allegations against the company. The court has also directed both CMRL and the Central Government to submit affidavits.

Based on the SFIO’s findings, the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court (Court No. 7) had earlier accepted a complaint submitted by the agency. The High Court intervened just as notices were about to be issued to the accused.
Notices were to be served to the respondents listed, including first accused Sasidharan Kartha and eleventh accused Veena Vijayan.