Supreme Court Dismisses Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s Petition Seeking CMRL-Exalogic Vigilance Probe

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan seeking a vigilance probe into the CMRL- Exalogic deal.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, observed that courts should not become arenas for political battles, which are meant to be contested before voters during elections.

The Supreme Court also criticised Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s claim that a bribe of 1.72 crore rupees was allegedly given by CMRL to the Chief Minister via Exalogic and Veena Thaikkandi. The court questioned senior counsel Guru Krishna Kumar, appearing for Kuzhalnadan, on how such an allegation could be made in court without evidence.

Justice K Vinod Chandran further noted that the arguments in the petition were presented in a sensationalised manner.

Kuzhalnadan had also alleged in his petition that the 2018 flood was man-made, caused by sand mining in Thottappally. However, the court pointed out that Kuzhalnadan had firsthand knowledge of the flood, having personally helped his cousin during the disaster. The bench concluded that the petition was based on mere suspicion, lacking any supporting evidence, and therefore rejected it.