Monthly pay-off case: CM claims petition seeking CBI probe is politically motivated

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has submitted an affidavit in response to the High Court notice regarding the petition seeking a CBI investigation into the monthly pay-off case. In his affidavit, the Chief Minister stated that the petition is a politically motivated attack against him. He further asserted in the affidavit that the petition does not fall within the scope of public interest litigation.

The petitioner, journalist MR Ajayan, has no direct information or involvement in the case, the CM claimed. The petition is solely based on an order from the Income Tax Department's Settlement Board. He added that the petition specifically targets him and his daughter. Since an investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is already underway, there is no need for other central agencies to take over the probe, the affidavit stated. It also pointed out that the case pertains to financial transactions between two private companies.

This affidavit was submitted in response to the notice issued by the High Court on M.R. Ajayan's petition.