Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (PTI) KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Thursday said criticism of the state government’s initial decision to order a preliminary inquiry instead of registering an FIR against veteran CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL payments case would subside following the Supreme Court’s recent verdict.
“Justice hurried is justice buried,” Joseph told reporters, urging patience with legal proceedings.
Last month, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) wrote to the state police seeking registration of a case against former Chief Minister Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas in connection with alleged payments made by the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
The state government initially decided to conduct a preliminary inquiry instead of registering an FIR.
A private person challenged the decision in the Kerala High Court, which ordered registration of a case.
On October 15, the Kerala High Court division bench rejected the applications of Vijayan, Veena, and Riyas to file appeals against the October 9 order, holding that “an accused in a corruption case has no legal right to be heard before registering the FIR.”
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana recently allowed Vijayan and the others to approach the High Court’s division bench against its October 9 order.
There was criticism within the Congress party over the state government’s initial decision not to conduct a preliminary inquiry before registering an FIR against Vijayan.
Asked about the criticism, Joseph said the government and the KPCC had explained their position to the party’s legislative group.
“Everyone will understand. There is no need to rush. Legal proceedings should be given their due time. The matter can be examined,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court verdict would help address the criticism.
In response to criticism from senior Congress leader and Kannur MP K Sudhakaran, Joseph declined to comment, describing the matter as a closed chapter.
“He is a senior leader and a Congress Working Committee member. I read in newspapers today that he has withdrawn the post,” Joseph said, referring to a video message Sudhakaran posted on Facebook that was later deleted.
In the video, Sudhakaran had alleged that he was removed as KPCC president last year without justification and said the government needed people willing to point out its mistakes.
Joseph said constructive criticism and suggestions from within the ruling front were welcome, but opposed public criticism of the government.
“I discourage public criticism against the government. The disciplined way is to raise criticism within the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the Supreme Court’s order vindicated the state government’s decision to conduct a preliminary inquiry before registering a case.
Speaking to reporters, he said the government had taken its decision after discussions, including in the Cabinet, and that it would not act hastily merely because the ED sought a case.
“Had we rushed into taking a position, the government would have been in an embarrassing situation. We can now hold our heads high,” he said.
He said the government believed that an FIR should not be registered solely on the basis of an ED report without first examining whether a prima facie case existed.
Muraleedharan said the Supreme Court’s observations on the ED’s jurisdiction were consistent with the government’s position, adding that the government would proceed in accordance with further court directions.
Regarding criticism within the Congress, Muraleedharan said the government understands the emotions and concerns of party workers, but stressed that its decisions must be taken carefully and transparently.
He said everyone was entitled to their own opinion, and the government had discussed the matter before deciding to conduct a preliminary inquiry rather than immediately register an FIR based solely on the ED’s report. PTI TBA TBA KH
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